Most Immigration Application Fees Increase in December: File Now!
Get your visa or green card applications in now — or get ready to pay more.
On December 23, 2016, the application fees for most U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms will increase — 21% on average. USCIS reviews its fees every two years to determine whether the fees cover the full cost of processing immigration applications and petitions. USCIS last raised fees in 2010.
EB-5 Fees Skyrocket
Foreign investors who apply for an EB-5 Regional Center green card will receive the hardest hit. The fee for the regional center application form will skyrocket 65% to $17,795. What’s more, investors will face a new fee of $3,035 for the annual certification of their regional center. Currently, the annual certification carries no fee.
One bit of good news for EB-5 applicants: The fee for Form I-829 (Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions), which removes conditions on the permanent residence for EB-5 Investors, remains unchanged at $3,750.
Other Changes
Currently, if an applicant’s check bounces or an applicant forgets to include a payment, such as the biometric services fee, the applicant gets a chance to resubmit the payment. Starting on Dec. 23, however, USCIS can outright reject an application or petition based on insufficient payment.
Moreover, any applicant may be required to submit to an interview or biometric services, which includes taking your photo, collecting your fingerprints and your electronic signature. The current biometrics service fee will remain unchanged at $85.
Fee Increases at a Glance
Below are the fee increases for the USCIS forms most often used by our clients: founders, investors, talent and their families.
Contact Us
Any applications or petitions submitted on or after Dec. 23 must include the new fees. If you have any questions on these fee increases or any of these forms, contact our office.
