In-Short
- USCIS finalizes fee increases for immigration applications effective April 1, 2024.
- New Asylum Program Fee introduced for certain employers to fund asylum operations.
- Fee exemptions expanded for humanitarian petitions and reduced fees for naturalization.
- Online filers to receive a $50 discount in a push for efficiency and affordability.
Summary of USCIS Fee Changes
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a comprehensive update to its fee structure, set to take effect on April 1, 2024. The changes will affect nearly all application types, with significant increases for family-based and employment-based petitions. A notable addition is the Asylum Program Fee, which will be levied on certain employers to support asylum operations under the Biden administration’s Asylum Processing Rule.
Employer-Based Petition Fee Increases
Employers will see the most substantial fee hikes, especially for petitions related to temporary and permanent workers. Small businesses and nonprofits will benefit from lower fees compared to larger entities. The H-1B registration fee will also increase, affecting the costs for for-profit employers significantly.
Changes for Residency and Family-Based Petitions
Applicants for lawful permanent residency will now face unbundled fees for work and travel authorization requests, leading to a range of possible costs. The fee for immigrant investors to remove conditions from their permanent residence has nearly tripled.
Humanitarian and Naturalization Fee Adjustments
USCIS has expanded fee exemptions for humanitarian visas and broadened the eligibility for reduced naturalization fees, now including individuals with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Encouragement for Online Filing
To promote the use of its online system, USCIS is offering a $50 discount for online filings. This move aims to improve efficiency despite concerns about the limited number of forms currently available for online submission.
Backlog Concerns
Despite the fee increases, USCIS acknowledges that additional congressional support is necessary to address the current backlog of cases. The fee adjustments are intended to help manage new cases and prevent future backlogs, but immediate improvements in processing times are not guaranteed.
For more detailed information on the USCIS fee changes and their implications, please visit the original source.
