USCIS announced that I-693 Civil Surgeon Examination Reports will no longer expire after two years from the date the report is signed by a doctor. This new rule applies to any signed reports on or after November 1, 2023. Under the previous rule, civil surgeon exam reports were only valid for two years from the time it was signed. If more than two years had passed at the time of an adjustment of status interview or adjudication, USCIS would request a new report before making a decision. USCIS clarified that it still has discretion to request a new exam if there is any reason to believe that an applicant’s medical condition has changed since the initial exam. However, this news is certainly welcome given that civil surgeon exams can cost several hundred dollars.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule that officially increases several immigration fees starting April 1, 2024. The new rule will drastically increase adjustment of status fees for certain applicants from $1,225 to $1,440.
Eliminating the No-Cost Employment Authorization Application and Advance Parole
Before the April 1st deadline, applications for Advance Parole and Employment Authorization were free of charge when filed concurrently with the Adjustment of Status application. Now, each application will require payment of fees. There is an accommodation for those who would like to adjust their status and to concurrently obtain work authorization concurrently, reducing the fee by 50%. Instead of paying $1,225.00 for the adjustment of status (which included EAD and Advance Parole), applicants now have to pay $2,330 for all three applications.
Applications Are Not Required
It should be noted that Employment Authorization Document and Advance Parole applications are not mandatory. So if an applicant feels that they do not need to work, or does not need to travel abroad while their adjustment of status is pending, they do not have to incur the costs for either or both of these applications.
Below is a breakdown of adjustment of status application fee cost options.
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A K-1 (fiancé) visa is a temporary visa for couples who are not yet married to their U.S. citizen partner. As a U.S. citizen, you may petition your foreign fiancé to come to the United States to get married within 90 days of entry. Once married, the foreign spouse can adjust his or her status.
On the other hand, a CR-1 (spousal) immigrant visa is for spouses of U.S. citizens who want to immigrate to the United States. Unlike the K-1 visa, the couple is already married.
A comparison chart between the Fiancé and a Spousal Immigrant Visa helps illustrate the differences:
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USCIS announced that the H-1B lottery for FY2025 will open on March 6, 2024 and remain open until March 22, 2024. The registration fee will remain $10 per entry for this year’s lottery. However, it will increase to $205 per entry in next year’s (FY2026) lottery.
USCIS also stated that it has taken measures to reduce the likelihood of fraudulent entries in the lottery. Under the new registration process, selections will be made based on unique beneficiaries rather than registrations. This modification aims to minimize the potential for fraudulent activities and ensures an equal chance for each beneficiary to be selected, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf by an employer. Beginning with the initial registration period for Fiscal Year 2025, USCIS will mandate registrants to provide valid passport information or valid travel document information for each beneficiary.
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USCIS announced that it will be increase its filing fees for several non-immigrant and immigrant-based petitions starting April 1, 2024. While many application fees will see an increase, some applications will see a decrease. The table below summarizes changes to some of the most common applications. A comprehensive list of changes can also be found here.
Type of Filing | Current Fee | Proposed Fee | New Final Fee | Difference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (online filing) | $455 | $455 | $415 | -$40 | -9% |
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (online filing) (with biometric services) | $540 | $455 | $415 | -$125 | -23% |
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing) | $455 | $465 | $465 | $10 | 2% |
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $540 | $465 | $465 | -$75 | -14% |
I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document | $445 | $680 | $560 | $115 | 26% |
I-129 H-1B | $460 | $780 | $780 | $320 | 70% |
I-129 H-1B (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $780 | $460 | $0 | 0% |
I-129 H-2A – Named Beneficiaries | $460 | $1,090 | $1,090 | $630 | 137% |
I-129 H-2A – Named Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,090 | $545 | $85 | 18% |
I-129 H-2A – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $460 | $530 | $530 | $70 | 15% |
I-129 H-2A – Unnamed Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $530 | $460 | $0 | 0% |
I-129 H-2B – Named Beneficiaries | $460 | $1,080 | $1,080 | $620 | 135% |
I-129 H-2B – Named Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,080 | $540 | $80 | 17% |
I-129 H-2B – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $460 | $580 | $580 | $120 | 26% |
I-129 H-2B – Unnamed Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $580 | $460 | $0 | 0% |
I-129 Petition for L Nonimmigrant workers | $460 | $1,385 | $1,385 | $925 | 201% |
I-129 Petition for L Nonimmigrant workers (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,385 | $695 | $235 | 51% |
I-129 Petition for O Nonimmigrant workers | $460 | $1,055 | $1,055 | $595 | 129% |
I-129 Petition for O Nonimmigrant workers (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,055 | $530 | $70 | 15% |
I-129CW CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications | $460 | $1,015 | $1,015 | $555 | 121% |
I-129CW CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications (with biometric services) | $545 | $1,015 | $1,015 | $470 | 85% |
I-129CW Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 | $1,015 | $510 | $50 | 11% |
I-129CW Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker and I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker: E, H-3, P, Q, R, or TN Classifications (small employers and nonprofits) (with biometric services) | $545 | $1,015 | $510 | -$35 | -6% |
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | $535 | $720 | $675 | $140 | 26% |
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (online filing) | $535 | $710 | $625 | $90 | 17% |
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (paper filing) | $535 | $820 | $675 | $140 | 26% |
I-131 Application for Travel Document | $575 | $630 | $630 | $55 | 10% |
I-131 Application for Travel Document (with biometric services) | $660 | $630 | $630 | -$30 | -5% |
I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older | $135 | $165 | $165 | $30 | 22% |
I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older (with biometric services) | $220 | $165 | $165 | -$55 | -25% |
I-131 Refugee Travel Document for a child under the age of 16 | $105 | $135 | $135 | $30 | 29% |
I-131 Refugee Travel Document for a child under the age of 16 (with biometric services) | $190 | $135 | $135 | -$55 | -29% |
I-131A Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation) | $575 | $575 | $575 | $0 | 0% |
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers | $700 | $715 | $715 | $15 | 2% |
I-191 Application for Relief Under Former Section 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) | $930 | $930 | $930 | $0 | 0% |
I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (CBP) | $585 | $1,100 | $1,100 | $515 | 88% |
I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant (USCIS) | $930 | $1,100 | $1,100 | $170 | 18% |
I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa | $585 | $695 | $695 | $110 | 19% |
I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal | $930 | $1,395 | $1,175 | $245 | 26% |
I-290B Notice of Appeal or Motion | $675 | $800 | $800 | $125 | 19% |
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant | $435 | $515 | $515 | $80 | 18% |
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | $1,140 | $1,540 | $1,440 | $300 | 26% |
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (with biometric services) | $1,225 | $1,540 | $1,440 | $215 | 18% |
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (under the age of 14 in certain conditions) | $750 | $1,540 | $950 | $200 | 27% |
I-526/526E Immigrant Petition by Standalone/Regional Center | $3,675 | $11,160 | $11,160 | $7,485 | 204% |
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (online filing) | $370 | $525 | $420 | $50 | 14% |
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (online filing) (with biometric services) | $455 | $525 | $420 | -$35 | -8% |
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing) | $370 | $620 | $470 | $100 | 27% |
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $455 | $620 | $470 | $15 | 3% |
I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative and I-600A Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition | $775 | $920 | $920 | $145 | 19% |
I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative and I-600A Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition (with biometric services for one adult) | $860 | $920 | $920 | $60 | 7% |
I-600A/I-600 Supplement 3 Request for Action on Approved Form I-600A/I-600 | N/A | $455 | $455 | $455 | N/A |
I-601 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility | $930 | $1,050 | $1,050 | $120 | 13% |
I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver | $630 | $1,105 | $795 | $165 | 26% |
I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver (with biometric services) | $715 | $1,105 | $795 | $80 | 11% |
I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended) | $930 | $1,100 | $1,100 | $170 | 18% |
I-687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident | $1,130 | $1,240 | $1,240 | $110 | 10% |
I-687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident (with biometric services) | $1,215 | $1,240 | $1,240 | $25 | 2% |
I-690 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act | $715 | $985 | $905 | $190 | 27% |
I-694 Notice of Appeal of Decision | $890 | $1,155 | $1,125 | $235 | 26% |
I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) | $1,670 | $1,670 | $1,670 | $0 | 0% |
I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) (with biometric services) | $1,755 | $1,670 | $1,670 | -$85 | -5% |
I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence | $595 | $1,195 | $750 | $155 | 26% |
I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (with biometric services) | $680 | $1,195 | $750 | $70 | 10% |
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (online filing) | $410 | $555 | $470 | $60 | 15% |
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (online filing) (with biometric services) | $495 | $555 | $470 | -$25 | -5% |
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing) | $410 | $650 | $520 | $110 | 27% |
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $495 | $650 | $520 | $25 | 5% |
I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative and Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country | $775 | $925 | $920 | $145 | 19% |
I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative and Form I-800A, Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country (with biometric services) | $860 | $925 | $920 | $60 | 7% |
I-800A Supplement 3, Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A | $385 | $455 | $455 | $70 | 18% |
I-800A Supplement 3, Request for Action on Approved Form I-800A (with biometric services) | $470 | $455 | $455 | -$15 | -3% |
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits | $600 | $875 | $760 | $160 | 27% |
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits (with biometric services) | $685 | $875 | $760 | $75 | 11% |
I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition | $465 | $675 | $590 | $125 | 27% |
I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions | $3,750 | $9,525 | $9,525 | $5,775 | 154% |
I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions (with biometric services) | $3,835 | $9,525 | $9,525 | $5,690 | 148% |
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for an individual adjudicated by DHS) | $285 | $340 | $340 | $55 | 19% |
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for an individual adjudicated by DHS) (with biometric services) | $370 | $340 | $340 | -$30 | -8% |
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for a family adjudicated by DHS) | $570 | $340 | $340 | -$230 | -40% |
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (for a family adjudicated by DHS) (with biometric services for two people) | $740 | $340 | $340 | -$315 | -48% |
I-910 Application for Civil Surgeon Designation | $785 | $1,230 | $990 | $205 | 26% |
I-929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant | $230 | $275 | $0 | -$230 | -100% |
I-941 Application for Entrepreneur Parole | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 | $0 | 0% |
I-941 Application for Entrepreneur Parole (with biometric services) | $1,285 | $1,200 | $1,200 | -$85 | -7% |
I-956 Application for Regional Center Designation | $17,795 | $47,695 | $47,695 | $29,900 | 168% |
I-956F Application for Approval of an Investment in a Commercial Enterprise | $17,795 | $47,695 | $47,695 | $29,900 | 168% |
I-956G Regional Center Annual Statement | $3,035 | $4,470 | $4,470 | $1,435 | 47% |
N-300 Application to File Declaration of Intention | $270 | $320 | $320 | $50 | 19% |
N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings Under Section 336 (online filing) | $700 | $830 | $780 | $80 | 11% |
N-336 Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings Under Section 336 (paper filing) | $700 | $830 | $830 | $130 | 19% |
N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing) | $640 | $760 | $710 | $70 | 11% |
N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing) (with biometric services) | $725 | $760 | $710 | -$15 | -2% |
N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) | $640 | $760 | $760 | $120 | 19% |
N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $725 | $760 | $760 | $35 | 5% |
N-400 Application for Naturalization (applicants with household income between 150 and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG)) | $320 | $380 | $380 | $60 | 19% |
N-400 Application for Naturalization (applicants with household income between 150 and 400% of the FPG) (with biometric services) | $405 | $380 | $380 | -$25 | -6% |
N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes | $355 | $420 | $420 | $65 | 18% |
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (online filing) | $555 | $555 | $505 | -$50 | -9% |
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (paper filing) | $555 | $555 | $555 | $0 | 0% |
N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (online filing) | $1,170 | $1,385 | $1,335 | $165 | 14% |
N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (paper filing) | $1,170 | $1,385 | $1,385 | $215 | 18% |
N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (online filing) | $1,170 | $1,385 | $1,335 | $165 | 14% |
N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate (paper filing) | $1,170 | $1,385 | $1,385 | $215 | 18% |
USCIS Immigrant Fee | $220 | $235 | $235 | $15 | 7% |
H-1B Registration Process Fee | $10 | $215 | $215 | $205 | 2,050% |
Biometric Services (limited circumstances) | $85 | $30 | $30 | -$55 | -65% |
G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (online filing) | $65 | $100 | $30 | -$35 | -54% |
G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request (paper filing) | $65 | $120 | $80 | $15 | 23% |
G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (online filing) | $65 | $240 | $30 | -$35 | -54% |
G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (paper filing) | $65 | $260 | $80 | $15 | 23% |
G-1566 Request for Certificate of Non-Existence | $0 | $330 | $330 | $330 | N/A |
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