Immigration Fees in the US May Surge – Here’s What You Need to Know
Moving to the US might wilt increasingly expensive soon as immigration fees could see a significant increase, well-expressed H-1B workers and untried vellum applicants.The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is considering raising fees for various immigration processes. This proposal comes as the USCIS faces financial challenges heightened by the pandemic, leading to the need for a comprehensive fee review.
The proposal covers a range of processes, including H-1B visas and untried vellum applications. Over 6000 individuals and organizations have criticized the plan during the two-month scuttlebutt period.
Expected to be finalized in December or January 2024, the proposed fee rule aims to write the agency’s financial challenges since 2016. Notably, the H-1B E-registration fee may surge by a staggering 2050%, from $10 to $215. The petition fee for an H-1B visa using could increase by 70%, from $460 to $780.
Citizenship using fees are set to rise by 19%, going from $640 to $760. The most significant increases are proposed for EB-5 investors in the untried vellum program linked to investments. Initial I-526 petitions might rise by 204%, reaching $11,160, while I-829 petitions for removing conditions on permanent resident status may see a 148% increase to $9,525.
Here’s a breakdown of the current and proposed fees for different categories:
- H-1B E-registration fee:
- Current: $10
- Proposed: $215 (2050%)
- Petition for a H-1B visa:
- Current: $460
- Proposed: $780 (70%)
- Petition for a L visa (intra-company transfer):
- Current: $460
- Proposed: $1,385 (201%)
- Petition by an EB-5 investor (investment-linked green card):
- Current: $3,675
- Proposed: $11,160 (204%)
- Petition by EB-5 investor to remove conditions on permanent resident status (with biometric services):
- Current: $3,835
- Proposed: $9,525 (148%)
- Application for Employment Authorization (online) – Online:
- Current: $410
- Proposed: $555 (35%)
- Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing):
- Current: $410
- Proposed: $650 (59%)
- Application to adjust to green card status (with biometric services):
- Current: $1,225
- Proposed: $1,540 (26%)
- Application for citizenship (online or paper filing):
- Current: $640
- Proposed: $760 (19%)
