USCIS FILING FEE INCREASE APRIL 1, 2024

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In Immigration News, Szew Law Group Blog

USCIS Filing Fees Increasing April 1, 2024!

Big news from USCIS ! Starting April 1, 2024, they’re adjusting some of their filing fees and updating their form editions. These changes are crucial when filing your petitions, as they will impact the cost of various immigration filings and the form versions you must now submit. Below we breakdown some IMPORTANT changes you MUST be aware of:

Grace Periods ⏰:

Good news first:
- USCIS will give applicants a grace period from April 1 through June 3, 2024 to use the old version of SOME forms, as long as you pay the new fee.
But here’s the kicker:
- There’s no grace period for forms such as Form I-129, Form I-129CW, Form I-140, Form I-600A, and Form I-600. So, make sure you’re using the right edition for those forms on or after April 1, 2024.
✨IMPORTANT: There’s NO GRACE PERIOD for new fees! All forms filed on or after April 1 must include the new fee. You can find the new filing fees HERE

Online Filing ‍️:

Most forms will get a $50 discount if filed online, but there are some exceptions. If a form fee is already discounted, no online filing discount is available.
✨IMPORTANT: New forms will be available online on April 1, 2024. You will not be able to submit older versions of forms online after April 1, 2024. On April 1, 2024 any Form N-400 drafts in progress will be deleted and you must restart the application. A reminder will be sent to all online account holders ahead of time so you will be aware. This only applies to the N-400.

Form N-400 :

For Form N-400, the fee depends on how you file: $760 for paper filing, $710 for online, or $380 reduced fee for certain applicants. But remember, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria for the reduced fee.
No separate biometric services fee anymore for Form N-400. All N-400 applicants must submit biometrics, however the biometric fee will already be included in the filing fee.

Employment-Based Petitions: Form I-129 & I-129 CW:

There will be separate fees for Form I-129 depending on the nonimmigrant classification. MAKE SURE TO CHECK YOUR PARTICULAR VISA CATEGORY FEE.
Up to a 50% discount will apply for nonprofits and small employers on Form I-129 if they have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.

Form I-485:

Under the new rule, the fee for Form I-485 will be $1,440.
Reduced Fee for Children: Good news for parents filing for their children under age 14— the reduced fee will remain at $950, providing some relief compared to the full fee for adults.
With the new rule, the fees for Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) will not be bundled or exempt when filing for adjustment with Form I-485. The fee for Form I-765 will be $260 if filed in connection with a Form I-485 filed after April 1, 2024. However, if you filed Form I-485 before April 1, 2024, and paid the fee, you won’t need to pay for renewals of Form I-765 or Form I-131 while your Form I-485 is pending.
For those filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), the fee will be $625 for online filing and $675 for paper filing.

Phew! That’s a lot to take in, but it’s essential to understand these changes, especially if you’re in the process of filing or planning to file soon. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you navigate through it all! Make sure to also check out our other blogs HERE and don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel where we post videos that you can’t miss!