New USCIS Government Filing Fees Take Effect on October 2, 2020.
USCIS fees change effective October 2, 2020, with some fees increasing drastically.
On August 3, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized changes to the fees U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges for various immigration applications.
In sum, DHS is increasing USCIS fees drastically, slightly discounting fees for forms currently available for online filing, and charging separate fees for Forms I-765 (Employment Authorization Document) and I-131 (Travel Parole) when filed with a pending or concurrently filed Form I-485 for Adjustment of Status.
These changes are effective October 2, 2020—thus, any application, petition, or request postmarked on this date or later must include payment of the fees established by DHS’s final fee rule. [Note that litigation may impact the effective date and we will continue to monitor developments in this area.]
Overview of Key USCIS Fee Changes
1. Overall USCIS Fees Increase
First, DHS is dramatically increasing the filing fees for most immigration applications and will begin to charge for applications that have never had a fee. For example, the filing fee for Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization) will increase by more than 80 percent—costing individuals upward of $1100 to apply for citizenship.
2. Adjustment of Status Fees
Unbundling of I-485/I-765 & I-131 USCIS Fees in Adjustment of Status Applications – You Will Paying Additional Fees
Until October 2, adjustment of status applicants have been able to submit applications for employment authorization and a travel document with no additional fee while USCIS adjudicates their application. This will no longer be the case. DHS will now require separate filing fees for Forms I-765 (Employment Authorization) and I-131 (Travel Document) when filed concurrently with Form I-485 or while it is pending with USCIS. Individuals who wish to work or travel while their adjustment of status applications are pending must pay additional USCIS fees – $550 to file Form I-765 and $590 to file Form I- 131.
Children Under the Age of 14
DHS is eliminating the reduced child fee for Form I-485. Previously, when a parent concurrently filed adjustment of status for a child under the age of 14 years old, the USCIS I-485 filing fee has been $750. Starting October 2, the I-485 fee for children will be a full fee of $1,130.
3. Some USCIS Fees Will Be Slightly Reduced
While almost all fees have increased, DHS has nominally reduced a few fees, especially for online filing, and has kept some fees the same.
This final rule is effective Oct. 2, 2020. Any application, petition, or request postmarked on or after this date must include payment of the new, correct fees established by this final rule.
For a full list of changes and a complete table of final fees, please visit an official webpage – final rule (PDF).