USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on New Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Immigration Benefit Requests

USCIS has updated its policy guidance to align with the Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements Final Rule, which was published in the Federal Register on January 31, 2024, and became effective April 1, 2024. Core elements of the final rule include the following:

• Implementation of a $300-$600 Asylum Program Fee for employer-sponsored Form I-129 and Form I-140 petitions.

• Reduced fees for nonprofits and small employers when filing certain employment-based petitions.

• Codifies existing fee waiver eligibility for low-income and vulnerable populations; expands fee exemptions for certain humanitarian and other beneficiaries; and expands the reduced fee option for certain individuals who apply for naturalization.

• $50 discount for most who file forms online instead of by paper mail, when an online filing option is available.

USCIS also published a FAQ on the Final Fee Rule on its website.