USCIS Announces New Immigration and Naturalization Fees
/U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016. The final rule follows the January 2023 publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking. The review concluded that the current fee schedule falls short in recovering the full cost of agency operations, including the necessary expansion of humanitarian programs, federally mandated pay raises, additional staffing requirements, and other essential investments.
Acknowledging this feedback from stakeholders, the final fee rule includes several important updates since the initial rulemaking. The final rule:
Expands fee exemptions for Special Immigrant Juveniles and victims of human trafficking, crime, and domestic violence; U.S. military service members and our Afghan allies; and families pursuing international adoption;
Provides special fee discounts for nonprofit organizations and small business employers;
Allows for half-price Employment Authorization Document applications for applicants for adjustment of status and a reduced fee for adjustment of status applicants under the age of 14 in certain situations;
Expands eligibility for a 50% fee reduction for naturalization applications, available to individuals who can demonstrate household income between 150% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines; and
Implements a standard $50 discount for online filers.
The new fees under the final rule will go into effect on April 1, 2024. USCIS encourages stakeholders to visit the Frequently Asked Questions page on its website to view a full list of the revised forms that will go into effect, along with the new fees. Please contact your attorney at Iandoli, Desai & Cronin if you have questions about the filing fees for your active case.
