Fee Increases Set

THE fee increase for most immigration benefits proposed last month by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is now official. The new fees will take effect on April 30 of this year.

“USCIS is committed to delivering immigration services and benefits in a compassionate, effective and secure manner,” said USCIS director Eduardo Aguirre. “The new fee structure will allow us to enhance service without compromising our commitment to national security.”

According to a USCIS press release, the new hikes will recover costs associated with comprehensive security enhancements instituted after September 11, 2001, and enhance customer service by contributing to improved application processing times. 

The lofty goal is to significantly cut the wait time for all immigration applications. “USCIS plans to achieve the president’s goal to eliminate the application backlog and achieve a six-month processing time standard for all immigration benefit applications by fiscal year 2006,” says USCIS.

If the increases, which average $55, achieve these shorter waiting times and reduced hassles as a result, then they’ll surely be worth it. Time will tell, though. 

Here’s what you’ll be paying for some of the most sought-after immigration benefits. The N-400 naturalization application will go from $260 to $320. The I-90 to replace a green card goes from $130 to $185; the I-130 petition for alien relative goes from $130 to $185, and the I-131 re-entry permit/advance parole application goes from $110 to $165.

The application for adjustment of status (I-485) goes to $315 from $255, while the employment authorization document (I-765) will now cost $175 to file, as opposed to $120.

All applications received prior to April 30 are still good to go at present charges. All you naturalization procrastinators can save a few bucks if you file sooner rather than later, so get going!