We knew that the fee increase was coming – they told us about it in May – but we didn’t know when. And now we know. On October 24th, the Federal Register (think of it as the government’s news agency), explained that the current fees collected do not cover the costs of the services that USCIS currently provides. The average application price will increase by 21%, though some applications will see an increase of nearly 100%.
Below is the charge of new fees, starting December 23, 2016. I’ve highlighted some of the applications that we see most often in our office. When reading through this chart, please don’t forget to add in the $85 biometrics fee that goes along with most of these applications (that’s not included in the calculation here).
The increase for the waivers – going from $585 to $930 – is most significant for most of the clients we work with. Certainly, I understand the amount of work that goes into preparing a waiver application and the amount of work that must go into adjudicating a waiver. Still, though, I fear that this will only act as a deterrent for families who would otherwise seek immigration relief, but for the money required to “do the right thing.”
| Form # | Form Title | Current Fee | Effective 12/23/2016 | % Change |
| G-1041 | Genealogy Index Search Request | $20 | $65 | 225% |
| G-1041A | Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Microfilm) |
$20 | $65 | 225% |
| G-1041A | Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Textual Record) |
$35 | $65 | 86% |
| I-90 | Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card |
$365 | $455 | 25% |
| I-102 | Application for Replacement or Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival / Departure Document |
$330 | $445 | 35% |
| I-129 | Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker | $325 | $460 | 42% |
| I-129F | Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | $340 | $535 | 57% |
| I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative | $420 | $535 | 27% |
| I-131/ I-131A |
Application for Travel Document | $360 | $575 | 60% |
| I-140 | Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | $580 | $700 | 21% |
| I-290B | Notice of Appeal or Motion | $630 | $675 | 7% |
| I-360 | Petition for Amerasian Widow(er) or Special Immigrant |
$405 | $435 | 7% |
| I-485 | Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status |
$985 | $1,140 | 16% |
| I-526 | Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur |
$1,500 | $3,675 | 145% |
| I-539 | Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status |
$290 | $370 | 28% |
| I-600, I-600A, I-800, I-800A |
Orphan Petitions | $720 | $775 | 8% |
| I-687 | Application for Status as a Temporary Resident under Section 245A of the INA |
$1,130 | $1,130 | 0% |
| I-690 | Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility |
$200 | $715 | 258% |
| I-694 | Notice of Appeal of Decision | $755 | $890 | 18% |
| I-698 | Application to Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Resident Under Section 245A of the INA |
$1,020 | $1,670 | 64% |
| I-751 | Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence |
$505 | $595 | 18% |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization |
$380 | $410 | 8% |
| I-800A Supp. 3 | Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A |
$360 | $385 | 7% |
| I-817 | Application for Family Unity Benefits | $435 | $600 | 38% |
| I-824 | Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition |
$405 | $465 | 15% |
| I-829 | Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions |
$3,750 | $3,750 | 0% |
| I-910 | Application for Civil Surgeon Designation |
$615 | $785 | 28% |
| I-924 | Application for Regional Center Designation Under the Immigrant Investor Program |
$6,230 | $17,795 | 186% |
| I-924A | Annual Certification of Regional Center |
$0 | $3,035 | N/A |
| I-929 | Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U- 1 Nonimmigrant |
$215 | $230 | 7% |
| N-300 | Application to File Declaration of Intention |
$250 | $270 | 8% |
| N-336 | Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings |
$650 | $700 | 8% |
| N-400 | Application for Naturalization | $595 | $640 | 8% |
| N-470 | Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes |
$330 | $355 | 8% |
| N-565 | Application for Replacement Naturalization or Citizenship Document |
$345 | $555 | 61% |
| N-600, N-600K |
Application for Certificate of Citizenship |
$600 | $1,170 | 95% |
| I-191, I-192, I-193, I-212, I-601, I-601A, I-612 |
Waiver Forms | $585 | $930 | 59% |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | $165 | $220 | 33% | |
| Biometric Services | $85 | $85 | 0% |
The fee increase will go into effect on December 23, 2016, which means that applications mailed or postmarked on or after December 23rd must include the new fee or a fee waiver, which is requested using Form I-912.
With such a significant fee increase, you may be wondering what kind of cases are eligible for a fee waiver.
This list isn’t all-inclusive, but it includes the following:
- EOIR-29 – Notice of Appeal of a Decision of a USICS Officer
- I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
- I-290B – Notice of Appeal or Motion, only if the underlying application was fee exempt or the filing fee was waived or was eligible for a fee waiver
- I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status if applying based as an Afghan or Iraqi Interpreter or National employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government; under the Cuban Adjustment Act, the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act, “Registry” or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
- I-601 – Waiver for Grounds of Inadmissibility in extremely limited circumstances
- I-751 – Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
- I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization, unless you’re applying for DACA under the category (c)(33)
- N-400 – Application for Naturalization
And also any application related to –
- T or U nonimmigrants (I-192, I-485, I-601)
- VAWA self-petitioners (I-485, I-765, I-601, I-212)
- Temporary Protected Status (I-131, I-821, I-601)
I advise anyone who is thinking about filing applications with USCIS to move quickly, but efficiently and smartly, to file before the fee increase date. Speak with an experienced immigration attorney to makes sure you qualify for the type of case you want to file because even if you file at the lower rate, it would still be wasted money if you filed and didn’t qualify to begin with.
– Tracie