On April 1, 2024, USCIS filing fees will dramatically increase.

The chart below details the new USCIS filing fees which are scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2024 for the some of the most commonly filed petitions and applications.

If you will be affected by the increased USCIS filing fees, we suggest that you apply for immigration benefits as soon as possible.

$600 Asylum Program Fee Added to I-129 and I-140 Petitions

USCIS is adding a new Asylum Program Fee of $600 which will be paid by employers filing Form I-129, Form I-129CW, or Form I-140. Nonprofit employers will be exempt and small employers (25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees) will pay 50%, or $300. This fee will apply for all I-129 filings, including H-1B amendments and extensions.

Premium Processing

Premium processing fees increased on February 26, 2024. On April 1, the premium processing timeframe will expand from 15 calendar days to 15 business days.

H-1B Registration Fee

• The H-1B registration fee will increase from $10 to $215.
• The new registration fee will not take effect until March 2025.

EB-5 Application Fees – Huge Increases

• Form I-526 and Form I-526E increase from $3,675 to $11,160.
• Form I-829 increases from $3,750 to $9,525.
• Form I-956 and I-956F increase from $17,795 to $47,695.
• Form I-956G increases from $3,035 to $4,470.

Naturalization – New USCIS Filing Fees

USCIS has long recognized the social and economic benefits that the United States receives from new citizens, and, to that end, prior fee rules have kept naturalization application fees below the level of full cost recovery.

The new fee rule is consistent with this long-standing practice. Previously, the total cost included both an application fee ($640) and a separate biometric services fee ($85), for a total of $725 for most applicants. Under the new fee rule, there is no longer a separate biometric services fee, and the total fee is $710 for online filers or $760 for paper filers.

The new fee rule also provides a reduced naturalization fee ($380) for applicants with a household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), expanding eligibility for this reduced fee. Under the previous fee schedule, this reduced fee was only available to applicants with a household income between 150% and 200% of the FPG. 

Disclaimer: This newsletter is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. All information contained in this newsletter is generalized. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.