The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced revisions to certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees, marking the first adjustment since 2016. This move aims to improve agency efficiency and provide faster processing times for applicants.
Director’s Statement
In a recent statement, USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou emphasized the significance of the fee updates. “For the first time in over seven years, USCIS is updating our fees to better meet the needs of our agency, enabling us to provide more timely decisions to those we serve,” she stated.
Director Jaddou also acknowledged the agency’s progress despite previous funding challenges, highlighting improvements in customer service, backlog reduction, and program implementation.
The final rule imposes restrictions on the extent of fee increases, ensuring that most individual filers will not experience an increase of more than 26%, aligned with the rise in the Consumer Price Index since 2016.
Fee Hike Details
The fee for the H-1B application (form I-129) has surged from USD 460 (over ₹38,000) to USD 780 (over ₹64,000). Additionally, the H-1B registration fee will escalate from USD 10 (₹829) to USD 215 (over ₹17,000) from the next year.
The fee for L-1 visas has surged from USD 460 (over ₹38,000) to USD 1,385 (over ₹1,10,000).
Key Highlights of the Final Fee Rule
Annual Cost Recovery Reduction: The final rule reduces the agency’s required annual cost recovery by $727 million, factoring in the budgetary impact of enhanced efficiency measures.
Fee Exemptions and Discounts: Specific categories will benefit from expanded fee exemptions, including victims of human trafficking, crime, and domestic violence, among others. Moreover, nonprofit organizations and small business employers are eligible for special fee discounts.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Discounts: Adjustment of status applicants may now avail themselves of half-price EAD applications, with reduced fees also applicable to applicants under 14 in certain scenarios.
Naturalization Fee Reductions: Individuals demonstrating household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines are now eligible for a 50% fee reduction for naturalization applications.
Online Filing Discount: USCIS introduces a standard $50 discount for online filers.
Limitations on Fee Increases: The final rule caps newly established fee increases, ensuring that for most individual filers, fees will not rise by more than 26%, equivalent to the increase in the Consumer Price Index since 2016.
Select Immigration and Naturalization Filing Fees
| Type of Filing | Current Fee(s) | NPRM Fee(s) | Final Fee(s) | Current vs. Final Fees | Difference |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (online filing) | $455 | $455 | $415 | -$40 | -9% |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (online filing) (with biometric services) | $540 | $455 | $415 | -$125 | -23% |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing) | $455 | $465 | $465 | $10 | 2% |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $540 | $465 | $465 | -$75 | -14% |
| I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document | $445 | $680 | $560 | $115 | 26% |
| I-129 H-1B | $460 | $780 | $780 | $320 | 70% |
| I-129 H-1B (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $780 | $460 | $0 | 0% |
| I-129 H-2A – Named Beneficiaries | $460 | $1,090 | $1,090 | $630 | 137% |
| I-129 H-2A – Named Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,090 | $545 | $85 | 18% |
| I-129 H-2A – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $460 | $530 | $530 | $70 | 15% |
| I-129 H-2A – Unnamed Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $530 | $460 | $0 | 0% |
| I-129 H-2B – Named Beneficiaries | $460 | $1,080 | $1,080 | $620 | 135% |
| I-129 H-2B – Named Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,080 | $540 | $80 | 17% |
| I-129 H-2B – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $460 | $580 | $580 | $120 | 26% |
| I-129 H-2B – Unnamed Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $580 | $460 | $0 | 0% |
| I-129 Petition for L Nonimmigrant workers | $460 | $1,385 | $1,385 | $925 | 201% |
| I-129 Petition for L Nonimmigrant workers (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,385 | $695 | $235 | 51% |
| I-129 Petition for O Nonimmigrant workers | $460 | $1,055 | $1,055 | $595 | 129% |
| I-129 Petition for O Nonimmigrant workers (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,055 | $530 | $70 | 15% |
| I-129CW CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications | $460 | $1,015 | $1,015 | $555 | 121% |
| I-129CW CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications (with biometric services) | $545 | $1,015 | $1,015 | $470 | 85% |
| I-129CW Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,015 | $510 | $50 | 11% |
| I-129CW Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications (small employers and nonprofits) (with biometric services) | $545 | $1,015 | $510 | -$35 | -6% |
| I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | $535 | $720 | $675 | $140 | 26% |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (online filing) | $535 | $710 | $625 | $90 | 17% |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (paper filing) | $535 | $820 | $675 | $140 | 26% |
| I-131 Application for Travel Document | $575 | $630 | $630 | $55 | 10% |
| I-131 Application for Travel Document (with biometric services) | $660 | $630 | $630 | -$30 | -5% |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older | $135 | $165 | $165 | $30 | 22% |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older (with biometric services) | $220 | $165 | $165 | -$55 | -25% |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for a child under the age of 16 | $105 | $135 | $135 | $30 | 29% |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for a child under the age of 16 (with biometric services) | $190 | $135 | $135 | -$55 | -29% |
| I-131A Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) | $575 | $575 | $575 | $0 | 0% |
| I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers | $700 | $715 | $715 | $15 | 2% |
| I-191 Application for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) | $930 | $930 | $930 | $0 | 0% |
| I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (CBP) | $585 | $1,100 | $1,100 | $515 | 88% |
| I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (USCIS) | $930 | $1,100 | $1,100 | $170 | 18% |
| I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa | $585 | $695 | $695 | $110 | 19% |
| I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal | $930 | $1,395 | $1,175 | $245 | 26% |
| I-290B Notice of Appeal or Motion | $675 | $800 | $800 | $125 | 19% |
| I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant | $435 | $515 | $515 | $80 | 18% |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | $1,140 | $1,540 | $1,440 | $300 | 26% |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (with biometric services) | $1,225 | $1,540 | $1,440 | $215 | 18% |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (under the age of 14 in certain conditions) | $750 | $1,540 | $950 | $200 | 27% |
| I-526/526E Immigrant Petition by Standalone/Regional Center | $3,675 | $11,160 | $11,160 | $7,485 | 204% |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (online filing) | $370 | $525 | $420 | $50 | 14% |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (online filing) (with biometric services) | $455 | $525 | $420 | -$35 | -8% |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing) | $370 | $620 | $470 | $100 | 27% |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $455 | $620 | $470 | $15 | 3% |
| I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative and I-600A Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition | $775 | $920 | $920 | $145 | 19% |
| I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative and I-600A Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition (with biometric services for one adult) | $860 | $920 | $920 | $60 | 7% |
| I-600A/I-600 Supplement 3 Request for Action on Approved Form I-600A/I-600 | N/A | $455 | $455 | $455 | N/A |
| I-601 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility | $930 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $120 | 13% |
| I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver | $630 | $1,105 | $795 | $165 | 26% |
| I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver (with biometric services) | $715 | $1,105 | $795 | $80 | 11% |
| I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended) | $930 | $1,100 | $1,100 | $170 | 18% |
| I-687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident | $1,130 | $1,240 | $1,240 | $110 | 10% |
| I-687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident (with biometric services) | $1,215 | $1,240 | $1,240 | $25 | 2% |
| I-690 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act | $715 | $985 | $905 | $190 | 27% |
| I-694 Notice of Appeal of Decision | $890 | $1,155 | $1,125 | $235 | 26% |
| I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) | $1,670 | $1,670 | $1,670 | $0 | 0% |
| I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) (with biometric services) | $1,755 | $1,670 | $1,670 | -$85 | -5% |
| I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence | $595 | $1,195 | $750 | $155 | 26% |
| I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (with biometric services) | $680 | $1,195 | $750 | $70 | 10% |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (online filing) | $410 | $555 | $470 | $60 | 15% |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (online filing) (with biometric services) | $495 | $555 | $470 | -$25 | -5% |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing) | $410 | $650 | $520 | $110 | 27% |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $495 | $650 | $520 | $25 | 5% |
| I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative and Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country | $775 | $925 | $920 | $145 | 19% |
| I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative and Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country (with biometric services) | $860 | $925 | $920 | $60 | 7% |
| I-800A Supplement 3, Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A | $385 | $455 | $455 | $70 | 18% |
| I-800A Supplement 3, Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A (with biometric services) | $470 | $455 | $455 | -$15 | -3% |
| I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits | $600 | $875 | $760 | $160 | 27% |
| I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits (with biometric services) | $685 | $875 | $760 | $75 | 11% |
| I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition | $465 | $675 | $590 | $125 | 27% |
| I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions | $3,750 | $9,525 | $9,525 | $5,775 | 154% |
| I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions (with biometric services) | $3,835 | $9,525 | $9,525 | $5,690 | 148% |
| I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for an individual adjudicated by DHS) | $285 | $340 | $340 | $55 | 19% |
| I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for an individual adjudicated by DHS) (with biometric services) | $370 | $340 | $340 | -$30 | -8% |
| I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for a family adjudicated by DHS) | $570 | $340 | $340 | -$230 | -40% |
| I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for a family adjudicated by DHS) (with biometric services for two people) | $740 | $340 | $340 | -$315 | -48% |
| I-910 Application for Civil Surgeon Designation | $785 | $1,230 | $990 | $205 | 26% |
| I-929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant | $230 | $275 | $0 | -$230 | -100% |
| I-941 Application for Entrepreneur Parole | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | $0 | 0% |
| I-941 Application for Entrepreneur Parole (with biometric services) | $1,285 | $1,200 | $1,200 | -$85 | -7% |
| I-956 Application for Regional Center Designation | $17,795 | $47,695 | $47,695 | $29,900 | 168% |
| I-956F Application for Approval of an Investment in a Commercial Enterprise | $17,795 | $47,695 | $47,695 | $29,900 | 168% |
| I-956G Regional Center Annual Statement | $3,035 | $4,470 | $4,470 | $1,435 | 47% |
| N-300 Application to File Declaration of Intention | $270 | $320 | $320 | $50 | 19% |
| N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings Under Section 336 (online filing) | $700 | $830 | $780 | $80 | 11% |
| N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings Under Section 336 (paper filing) | $700 | $830 | $830 | $130 | 19% |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing) | $640 | $760 | $710 | $70 | 11% |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing) (with biometric services) | $725 | $760 | $710 | -$15 | -2% |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) | $640 | $760 | $760 | $120 | 19% |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $725 | $760 | $760 | $35 | 5% |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (applicants with household income between 150 and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG)) | $320 | $380 | $380 | $60 | 19% |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (applicants with household income between 150 and 400% of the FPG) (with biometric services) | $405 | $380 | $380 | -$25 | -6% |
| N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes | $355 | $420 | $420 | $65 | 18% |
| N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (online filing) | $555 | $555 | $505 | -$50 | -9% |
| N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (paper filing) | $555 | $555 | $555 | $0 | 0% |
| N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (online filing) | $1,170 | $1,385 | $1,335 | $165 | 14% |
| N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (paper filing) | $1,170 | $1,385 | $1,385 | $215 | 18% |
| N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (online filing) | $1,170 | $1,385 | $1,335 | $165 | 14% |
| N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (paper filing) | $1,170 | $1,385 | $1,385 | $215 | 18% |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | $220 | $235 | $235 | $15 | 7% |
| H-1B Registration Process Fee | $10 | $215 | $215 | $205 | 2,050% |
| Biometric Services (limited circumstances) | $85 | $30 | $30 | -$55 | -65% |
| G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (online filing) | $65 | $100 | $30 | -$35 | -54% |
| G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (paper filing) | $65 | $120 | $80 | $15 | 23% |
| G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (online filing) | $65 | $240 | $30 | -$35 | -54% |
| G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (paper filing) | $65 | $260 | $80 | $15 | 23% |
| G-1566 Request for Certificate of Non-Existence | $0 | $330 | $330 | $330 | N/A |
Implementation and Public Input
Effective from April 1, 2024, the final rule incorporates feedback from over 5,400 unique public comments received during the proposed rulemaking process. USCIS plans to utilize the increased revenues to enhance customer experience, tackle backlog challenges, and manage increased caseloads sustainably.
Conclusion
While USCIS moves forward with these fee revisions, Director Jaddou emphasizes that congressional funding remains essential for addressing ongoing challenges associated with recent border crossers. These changes aim to streamline processes, promote fairness, and ensure continued integrity within the immigration system.
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