Starting December 23, 2016, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will enact its plans to increase the fees that are associated with filing for naturalization, as well as other necessary forms. It is important to be aware of the steep price increases some of these fees will have. If you are worried about the cost of fees associated with the forms you are required to file with the USCIS, it is best to try and get them in before the prices increase next week.
Some of the most dramatic increases include those associated with the Application for Citizenship, which will increase from $550 to $1,170. However, for those who are facing levels between 150 and 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, you may be eligible for a discounted filing fee of $320. In order to apply for this reduction, you will have to file Form 1-942.
The USCIS took all comments into consideration regarding the fee increase but still determined it was necessary to proceed because the organization is funded solely by these fees. The demand for visas and citizenship is now more than ever due to the uncertainty of immigration in the United States and these fees are required to help the agency operate.
Some of the fee increases for the most popular forms include:
- $340 to $535 for Petition for Alien Fiance, I-129
- $580 to $700 for Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, I-140
- $1,020 to $1,670 for Adjustment of Status, I-698
- $630 to $6675 for Notice of Appeal, I-290B
- $420 to $535 for Petition for Alien Relative, I-130
The full list of fee changes can be found on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website. If you have any questions regarding these changes, consult with an experienced immigration attorney who can provide you with assistance.
John Sesini is an experienced immigration attorney with offices in Green Bay and Milwaukee Wisconsin. If you have any questions regarding these matters, please contact the Sesini Law Group, S.C. and obtain your initial consultation.