February 1, 2007

INCREASE IN USCIS FEES

USCIS announced on January 31, 2007, that a new fee structure will be published in the Federal Registry, February 1, 2007.

Please find below a selected list of the new fees:

Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: $320 (previously, $190)
Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker: $475 (previously, $190)
Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status: $905 (previously, $325) *
Form I-539, Application to Change Nonimmigrant Status: $300 (previously, $200)
Form N-400, Application to Naturalize: $595 (previously, $330)

*This includes the fee for an Advance Parole (previously, $170) and an Employment Authorization Document (previously, $180)

According to USCIS, the new fee structure is needed improve customer service, strengthen the security of the immigration system and modernize the business infrastructure for the 21st century. It is important to note the service centers do not rely on taxpayer funding, therefore 99% of their annual budget relies on filing fees. The fee increase that occurred in October 2005 was to reflect changes in inflation. There has not been a comprehensive fee adjustment and review since 1998. The proposed fee structure will be available online for public comment at www.regulations.gov, for a period of 60 days commencing, February 1, 2007.