US Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) is proposing to raise fees of the Immigration Examinations Fee Account (IEFA) for immigration applications and petitions. The USCIS also proposes to increase the fee for capturing biometric information for applicants applying for certain applications and petitions from $50 to $70.
The fees collected from applicants are collected in the IEFA and utilized to fund the cost of providing adjudication and naturalization services, along with similar services for asylum/refugee applicants and other immigrant applicants at no fee. These fees may also be utilized to cover administrative costs. The current fees are based on 1997 adjustments made based on cost of living increases.
However, since July 2002, the cost of providing these adjudications/services has increased, especially due to heightened processes to ensure national security. In an attempt to economically recover these increased processing costs, the USCIS proposes the raises in fees, as shown in the table below.
This proposed rule intends to cover the estimated $141 million per year that added security enhancements have cost the Bureau. In addition the fee raises will assist in supporting program enhancements, new activities and administrative support costs, along with responding to a cost of living increase since 1997.
| Form | Description | Proposed fee ($) | Current Fee ($) |
| I-90 | Application to replace permanent resident card | 185 | 130 |
| I-102 | Application for replacement/initial nonimmigrant arrival/departure record | 155 | 100 |
| I-129 | Petition for a nonimmigrant worker | 185 | 130 |
| I-129F | Petition for alien fiancé | 165 | 110 |
| I-130 | Petition for alien relative | 185 | 130 |
| I-131 | Application for travel document | 165 | 110 |
| I-140 | Immigrant petition for alien worker | 190 | 135 |
| I-191 | Application for petition to return to an unrelinquished domicile | 250 | 195 |
| I-192 | Application for advance petition to enter as a nonimmigrant | 250 | 195 |
| I-193 | Application for waiver of passport and/or visa | 250 | 195 |
| I-212 | Application for permission to reapply for admission into the U.S. after deportation or removal | 250 | 195 |
| I-360 | Petition for Amerasian, widow(er) or special immigrant | 185 | 130 |
| I-485 | Application to register permanent residence or to adjust status | 315 | 255 |
| I-526 | Immigrant petition by alien entrepreneur | 465 | 400 |
| I-539 | Application to extend/change nonimmigrant status | 195 | 140 |
| I-600/600A | Petition to classify orphan as an immediate relative/application for advance processing or orphan petitions | 525 | 460 |
| I-601 | Application for waiver on grounds of excludability | 250 | 195 |
| I-612 | Application for waiver of the foreign residence requirement | 250 | 195 |
| I-687 | For filing application for status as a temporary resident | 240 | 185 |
| I-690 | Application for waiver of excludability | 90 | 35 |
| I-694 | Notice of appeal of decision | 105 | 50 |
| I-695 | Application for replacement employment authorization or temporary residence card | 65 | 15 |
| I-698 | Application to adjust status from temporary to permanent resident | 175 | 120 |
| I-751 | Petition to remove the conditions on residence | 200 | 145 |
| I-765 | Application for employment authorization | 175 | 120 |
| I-817 | Application for family unity benefits | 195 | 140 |
| I-824 | Application for action on an approved application or petition | 195 | 140 |
| I-829 | Petition by entrepreneur to remove conditions | 455 | 395 |
| I-881 | NACARA – Suspension of deportation or application for special rule cancellation of removal | 275 | 215 |
| I-914 | Application for T nonimmigrant status | 255 | 200 |
| N-300 | Application to file declaration of intention | 115 | 60 |
| N-336 | Request for hearing on a decision in naturalization procedures | 250 | 195 |
| N-400 | Application for naturalization | 320 | 260 |
| N-470 | Application to preserve residence for naturalization purposes | 150 | 95 |
| N-565 | Application for replacement naturalization citizenship documents | 210 | 155 |
| N-600 | Application for certification of citizenship | 240 | 185 |
| N-600K | Application for citizenship and issuance of certification under Section 322 | 240 | 185 |
