The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently posted the final USCIS fee rule for public inspection. This final rule adjusts certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This final rule is intended to ensure that USCIS has the resources it needs to provide adequate service to applicants and petitioners. It will be published officially in the Federal Register on Monday, August 3rd, and will take effect 60 days later (October 2, 2020), assuming that no litigation efforts prevent it from taking effect.
It is 576 pages long and the following are key points you should know:
- Fee increase by a weighted average of 20%.
- Adds a $50 fee for an asylum application.
- Removes the proposal to transfer money to ICE.
- Establishes multiple fees for nonimmigrant worker petitions.
- Retains some fee waiver.
- Removes certain fee exemptions, changes fee waiver requirements, alters premium processing time limits, and modifies intercountry adoption processing.
- Limits the number of beneficiaries for certain forms.
The new fee schedule table begins on page 13 of the rule. A copy of the fee schedule is below:
If you are considering starting your immigration case, time is of the essence! Speak with a lawyer and file your case before the fees increase by calling 800-223-2814.
