USCIS Increases Immigration Fees on April 1st 2024!

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published a final rule adjusting immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016.

USCIS Increases Immigration Fees on April 1st 2024!

USCIS Increases Immigration Fees on April 1st 2024!

Who and what will be affected? The final rule includes lowered annual cost recovery, expanded fee exemptions for certain groups, special fee discounts for nonprofits and small businesses, and reduced fees for specific categories.

USCIS emphasizes that every fee in the final rule is the same or lower than in the proposed rule.

Here are some of the new fees in the final rule:

  • I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (Online): From $535 to $625
  • I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (Paper): From $535 to $675
  • I-131 Application for Travel Document: From $575 to $630
  • I-131 Application for Travel Document (with biometric services): From $660 to $630 - This is actually lower!
  • I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers: From $700 to $715
  • I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status: From $1140 to $1440
  • I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (with biometric services): From $1225 to $1440
  • I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence: From $595 to $750
  • I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (with biometric services): From $680 to $750
  • I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (online filing): From $410 to $470
  • I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (online filing) (with biometric services): From $495 to $470
  • I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing): From $410 to $520
  • I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing) (with biometric services): From $495 to $520
  • N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing): From $640 to $710
  • N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing) (with biometric services): From $725 to $710
  • N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing): From $640 to $760
  • N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) (with biometric services): From $725 to $760
Note that, under the final rule: Individuals seeking adjustment of status will pay half the standard fee for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, if they paid the full fee for a concurrently filed or pending adjustment application!

See here for more details>>

When will the final rule take into effect?

The new fees will take effect on April 1, 2024, with USCIS encouraging stakeholders to review the updated forms and fees on their website.

The agency plans to use the generated revenues to enhance customer experience and address backlog growth, while congressional funding remains crucial for managing increased caseloads, especially related to recent border crossers.

USCIS Increases Fee for Form I-907 Premium Processing Request

Did you hear this? The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a final rule to increase the filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, to account for inflation. 

The adjustment, based on the Consumer Price Index, will raise certain premium processing fees from $1,500 to $1,685, $1,750 to $1,965, and $2,500 to $2,805. 

USCIS Increases Fee for Form I-907 Premium Processing Request

When is the new fee taking into effect?

The increase, effective from Feb. 26, 2024, is part of the USCIS Stabilization Act and aims to generate revenue for premium processing services, improve adjudication processes, address backlogs, and fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services. 

Be careful! If a Form I-907 is received with an incorrect filing fee after Feb. 26, 2024, it will be rejected and the fee returned.

See more details at USCIS's website: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-announces-inflation-adjustment-to-premium-processing-fees

How to use My Progress to track Form I-485 Green Card Application

USCIS is getting better and better at letting applicants know the progress of their immigration applications! Today we will talk about how you can use this new tool from USCIS, "My Progress", to track several applications, including Form I-130, I-765, I-485 and more!

How to use My Progress to track Form I-485 Green Card  AOS Application

How to use My Progress to track Form I-485 Green Card Application

Here are the steps:

  1. create an online account with USCIS here if you don't have one yet
  2. select your pending application
  3. once you link your application to your account, you will see a my Progress tab for your application
  4. You will now be able to see the estimated wait time until your case has a decision, along with a checkmark beside three milestones as they are completed
    1. Confirmation that the application was received
    2. Biometric services appointment (if required) has been completed; and
    3. The decision on the pending case.

What forms are now available for tracking?

  • Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status - NEWLY ADDED!
  • Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status - NEWLLY ADDED!
  • Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
  • Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
  • Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
  • Form I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
  • Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
Have you tried My Progress yet? Share your progress with all of us in the comment below! Learn more here

USCIS Rolls Out Mandatory Form I-9 Update on Nov 1, 2023!

Exciting news! USCIS introduces a streamlined Form I-9 for all employers starting November 1, 2023. This update aims to facilitate the new I-9 remote document verification procedures, ensuring a more efficient process. 

USCIS Rolls Out Mandatory Form I-9 Update on Nov 1, 2023!

USCIS Updates Form I-9 - What do you need to know? 

Using the old I-9 version (dated October 21, 2019) could lead to penalties, so be sure to make the switch. Employers using electronic I-9 systems should verify they're using the updated form. 

 The new form is now user-friendly for mobile devices, incorporates receipt notices, auto-extensions info for Employment Authorization Documents, and features a checkbox to document the use of remote document verification. Remember, U.S. employers must complete Form I-9 for each new hire within three business days of their start date to verify their identity and work authorization.

Learn more on USCIS's website: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9

More updates for you:

USCIS Introduces Online Form for Hassle-Free In-Person Appointments

Are you tired of the time-consuming process of scheduling an in-person appointment with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)? Good news – USCIS has rolled out a user-friendly solution to simplify the appointment request process for individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives. 

USCIS Introduces Online Form for Hassle-Free In-Person Appointments

Online Form for Hassle-Free In-Person Appointments

 Say goodbye to lengthy phone calls to the USCIS Contact Center. With the new online appointment request form, you can effortlessly request an in-person appointment at your local field office. This digital tool is designed to enhance your experience with USCIS services and provide a more convenient way to secure appointments. The online appointment request form streamlines the process for specific services, including ADIT stamps, Emergency Advance Parole, and Immigration Judge Grants. While it doesn't offer self-scheduling capabilities, you can propose a preferred date and time for your appointment. The USCIS Contact Center will then review your request and the availability of in-person appointments at your chosen field office. Please note that while you can suggest a specific appointment time, USCIS cannot guarantee that the requested date will be available. 

Rest assured, USCIS will confirm and schedule your appointment based on the best available date and time. This initiative aligns with USCIS's commitment to providing excellent customer service and supporting the Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government. The new online appointment request form aims to collect the necessary information upfront, potentially resulting in faster appointment scheduling without the need for extensive interactions with the USCIS Contact Center. 

 In certain cases, the Contact Center may still need to reach out to you via phone or email, depending on the appointment's urgency and reason. When contacting USCIS, remember to provide the reference number assigned to you when you submitted your appointment request. 

 Ready to take advantage of this hassle-free appointment request system? Visit my.uscis.gov/appointment for more information and to access the online appointment request form. Say hello to a more efficient way of securing your USCIS appointments!

More updates here...

Can I Still Verify Employment Eligibility Remotely (Form I-9)?

Yes you can! The COVID-19 flexibilities have come to an end! But you still have an option to have your employer exam your Form I-9 document for employment authorization remotely. 

Can I Still Verify Employment Eligibility Remotely (Form I-9)?

USCIS Publishes a revised version of Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification

On Aug. 1, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will publish a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. 

 What has been updated? 

A checkbox for your employer to use to indicate they remotely examined identity and employment authorization documents under an alternative procedure authorized by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)! 

How do I verify employment eligibility remotely now?

 To participate in the remote examination of Form I-9 documents under the DHS-authorized alternative procedure, employers must be enrolled in E-Verify, examine and retain copies of all documents, conduct a live video interaction with the employee, and create an E-Verify case if the employee is a new hire.

See other recent updates here:

USCIS Now Provides Tracking for Form I-131 & I-765 Progress!

Are you anxious about your travel permit and work permit progress? You will love this great news! USCIS is now providing tracking to your Form I-131 & Form I-765. Let's check out more details:

USCIS Now Provides Tracking for Form I-131 & I-765 Progress!

USCIS Adds Form I-131 & I-765 to My Progress Tracking Tool

Exciting news! USCIS is getting better and better. Now the agency announced that they are updating its processing time tool "My Progress" for Form I-765 (Work Permit) & Form I-131 (Travel document)

What is "My Progress" from USCIS?

USCIS My Progress is a tool within USCIS online account that helps applicants to get personalized estimation of their wait times, including the final decisions. Although the estimates are based on historical patterns of similar cases and can't be guaranteed, it does give applicants some insights where their cases are at.

What Forms are Available for USCIS My Progress?

Currently several forms are available within the tool:

Where do I use USCIS My Progress?

To view estimated case timelines, you need to:

  1. create an online account with USCIS here if you don't have one yet
  2. select your pending application
  3. once you link your application to your account, you will see a my Progress tab for your application
  4. You will now be able to see the estimated wait time until your case has a decision, along with a checkmark beside three milestones as they are completed
    1. Confirmation that the application was received
    2. Biometric services appointment (if required) has been completed; and
    3. The decision on the pending case.

What do you think? Is this tool helpful? Any thoughts? Leave me a comment!

Keep learning....

NEW! USCIS Self-Service Biometrics Appointment Rescheduling Tool

Finally! There is a way to reschedule your biometrics appointment without any hassle! Check out this new tool USCIS has launched:

NEW! USCIS Self-Service Biometrics Appointment Rescheduling Tool


USCIS Self-Service Biometrics Appointment Rescheduling Tool

Now you don't need to call USCIS contact center to reschedule most biometrics appointments. USCIS has launched a new self-service biometrics appointment rescheduling tool to streamline their immigration services. This is available to be used for both paper=filed and online-filed benefit requests. 

How do I use USCIS Self-Service Biometrics Appointment Rescheduling Tool?

Simply follow these steps:

  • Create a USCIS online account if you don't have one yet here: https://myaccount.uscis.gov/
  • Make sure your biometrics appointment date has not passed - you can't use this tool to reschedule the appointment that you missed already. 
  • Make sure you have acceptable reasons for rescheduling. Here are a few examples:
    • Medical reasons - illness, medical appointment, hospitalization
    • Previously planned travel
    • Significant life events - wedding, funeral, graduation
    • Inability to obtain transportation to the appointment
    • Inability to obtain leave from employment or caregiver responsibilities
    • late delivered or undelivered biometric services appointment notice. 
  • Select Biometrics Rescheduling Option and follow the prompts to fill out everything
  • Print the new appointment notice and bring it to your appointment.

What if I missed my appointment already? 

There are some special circumstances where you still need to call USCIS Contact Center such as your request is within 12 hours of scheduled appointment, you have rescheduled the same appointment twice already, or if you have missed the appointment already. 

Learn more details on USCIS's website here>>

Keep Reading:

USCIS Removed 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693!

USCIS Removed 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693!

USCIS Removed 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693!

USCIS had issued a temporary waiver a while ago to pause the requirement that civil surgeons sign Form I-693, Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant applies for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. 

Now this temporary waiver has become a permanent policy! 

How will this affect previously submitted cases?

For those whose Green Card applications have been considered invalid solely due to the expired I-693 signature before, you will no longer receive Request for Evidence (RFEs). USCIS will accept these Forms I-693 for adjudicative purposes for up to 2 years after the date the civil surgeon signed the form.

For new applicants, Civil surgeons no longer have to sign Form I-693 no more than 60 days before the Green Card (I-485) application is filed. 

What's the best practice?

Submit your Form I-693 with your Form I-485 together! USCIS will consider a completed Form I-693 to remain valid for 2 years after the date the civil surgeon signed the medical record form. 

You may be interested in these posts:

USCIS Proposed Rule to Adjust Certain Naturalization Application Fees

USCIS has been talking about changing application fees and rules to better serve the immigrants. Let's take a quick look at some key points:

USCIS Adjust Naturalization Application Fees

USCIS Proposed Rule to Adjust Certain Application Fees

USCIS today published a Notice of Proposed Reulemaking (NPRM) to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. 

Why? This allows USCIS to more fully recover its operating costs and they need more money to maintain timely case processing (which is one of the biggest concerns that everyone has!)

The projected revenues would also allow USCIS to increase the number of adjudicators processing applications, improve technology and increase support provided to individuals. 

Who will be affected by the new rule?

The proposed rule would include a modest increase in the fee for certain naturalization applications, while preserving existing fee waiver eligibility for low income and vulnerable populations and adding new fee exemptions for certain humanitarian programs. 

If finalized, the rule will decrease or minimally increase fees for more than one million low-income filers per year. 

New measures include:
  • incorporate biometrics costs into the main benefit fee 
  • remove the separate biometric services fee
  • establish separate fees for each nonimmigrant classification covered by Form I-129
  • Change premium processing timeframe from 15 calendar days to 15 business days
  • institute lower fees for certain forms filed online

Please note that the fees will not change until the final rule goes into effect, after the public has the opportunity to comment and USCIS finalizes the fee schedule in response. Stay tuned for USCIS's public engagement session on proposed fee rule on Jan 11, 2023! 

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