The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently published a proposal that will introduce a new rate plan for all of its services. The proposal includes an 83% increase for fees when people apply for U.S. citizenship.
Now that the proposal has been published, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has 30 days to hear opinions from the public. Although the comment period will remain open to the public, the plan is set to go into effect on December 2nd.
Addressing the agency’s need to increase the fees for U.S. citizenship applications, USCIS said the following in a press release:
“Unlike most government agencies, USCIS is fee-funded. Federal law requires USCIS to conduct biennial fee reviews and recommend necessary fee adjustments to ensure recovery of the full cost of administering the nation's immigration laws, adjudicating applications and petitions, and providing the necessary infrastructure to support those activities.”
Proposed rate increases include:
- Form I-290B: Notice of Appeal or Motion will increase from $675 to $705.
- Form I-485: Application for Permanent Residence Registration or Adjustment of Status will increase from $1,140 to $1,610.
- Form I-589: Asylum Applications will increase from $0 to $50.
- Form I-751: Petition to Cancel Residence Conditions will increase from $595 to $760.
- Form I-765: Work Permits will increase from $410 to $490.
- Form I-821D: DACA applications will increase from $0 to $275.
- Form I-881: Application for Suspension of Deportation or Cancellation of Expulsion will increase from $285 to $1,800.
- Form N-400: Naturalization Request will increase from $640 to $1,170.
DHS also proposed the following rate decreases:
- Form I-90: Application to Replace Permanent Residence Card will decrease from $455 to $415.
- Form I-129 for H-2A: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker will decrease from $460 to $425.
- Form I-129 for H-2B: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker will decrease from $460 to $395.
- Form I-140: Immigrant Petition as a Foreign Worker will decrease from $700 to $545.
- Form I-191: Request for Relief Under section 212 (c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act will decrease from $930 to $800.
- Form I-485: Application for Permanent Residence Registration or Adjustment of Status will decrease from $1,140 to $1,120.
- Form I-612: Application for Exemption on Foreign Residence Under Section 212 (e) of the INA will decrease from $930 to $525.
- Form I-694: Notice of Appeal Decision will decrease from $890 to $725.
- Form I-698: Request for Adjustment of Temporary Status to Permanent Resident Under Section 245A of the INA will decrease from $1,670 to $1,615.
- Form I-817: Application for Family Unit Benefits will decrease from $600 to $590.
- Form I-910: Application for Appointment as a Civil Doctor will decrease from $785 to $650.
- Form N-565: Application for Replacement of Naturalization / Citizenship Document will decrease from $555 to $545.
- Form N-600: Application for Citizenship Certificate will decrease from $1,170 to $1,015.
- Form N-600K: Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322 will decrease from $1,170 to $960.
- USCIS Immigrant Fee: Will decrease from $220 to $200.
- Biometric Services: Will decrease from $85 to $30 dollars.
Consult with Our Immigration Lawyers in Skokie
Do you need help resolving an important immigration matter? If so, get in touch with our dedicated lawyers at Gambacorta Law to discuss your situation so we can devise a strong legal strategy to protect your best interests. We serve clients in Illinois, Arizona, Texas, and Vietnam, and we are prepared to put our skills and resources to work for you.
Call us at (847) 443-9303 to request your consultation with our immigration lawyers.