U.S.Immigration Fees Increase: What You Need to Know
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing significant fee increases starting April 1, 2024. This adjustment, the first major one since 2016, is expected to impact various immigration applications across the board, aiming to address the agency’s financial challenges.
What’s Changing?
Across the board: Expect an average increase of 20% on various forms, including green card applications, citizenship petitions, and work authorization requests.
U.S.Immigration Fees Increase: H-1B visa registration fees jump from $10 to a whopping $215, impacting employers sponsoring skilled workers. Additionally, eliminating fee waivers for employment authorization and travel documents during green card processing means significantly higher costs for those applicants.
Family-based visas: Petitioning for fiancé(e)s (K-1 visa) and family members (I-130) will see a 26% increase.
Who’s Affected?
Individuals seeking green cards: Whether through family, employment, or investment, expect higher costs throughout the process.
Employers sponsoring foreign workers: H-1B visa registration and application fees significantly increase.
Travelers seeking work authorization or temporary documents: No longer eligible for fee waivers during green card processing, leading to additional costs.
What to Do?
Act before April 1st: If you’re planning to file an application, submit it before the new fees take effect to save money.
Explore alternatives: Consider other visa options with lower fees if applicable.
Seek professional guidance: Immigration attorneys can advise on navigating the new fee structure and strategize your application. At Gehi & Associates, our experienced attorneys will guide you through your journey seamlessly until your American dream becomes a reality. Schedule for a free initial consultation today.
