USCIS Proposed Fee Increases 2007

[G Bala]

USCIS Immigration Petition Fees are going up, way up (in other words: the party's over).

Federal Register will publish the new proposed fees on Feb. 01, 2007.

New fees on the most common petitions will be:
1. I-129F Fiancee Visa Petition: $455 (Old Fee $170)
2. I-130 Alien Petition: $355 (Old Fee $190)
3. I-131 Travel: $305 (Old Fee $170)
4. Waiver Applications: $545 (Old Fee $265)
5. I-485 Adjustment $905 (Old Fee $305)
6. I-751 Remove Conditions $465 (Old Fee $205)
7. I-765 Employment $340 (Old Fee $180)
8. N-400 Naturalization $595 (Old Fee $330)
9. Biometric Fee: $80 (Old Fee $70)

The massive fee increase for the Fiancee Visa petitions are due to:
"the threefold increase in completion rates as compared with FY 1998 Fee Review."

The good news.
Under the new bi-level adjudication and other goals, the fees paid for I-485 WILL INCLUDE the fees for interim benefits such as the I-131 Travel App. and I-765 Employment App., for those wishing those interim benefits. (No separate fees need be paid.)

Also, the fee paid for the K-3 Spousal Visa will soon be consolidated, so that you will only have to pay the fee one time at one location (no longer separate fees paid for the I-130 filing, and later the I-129F filing).

Fee waivers are available for applicants with demonstrated "inability to pay". Sorry, not for people on tight budgets.

It appears that the fee increases will go into effect in April 2007, after the public comment period.

Directions for making your public comments are found at:
www.regulations.gov

Also:
E-Mail: OSComments@dhs.gov
Fax: 1-866-466-5370
Mail: Director, Regulatory Management Division,
USCIS, Dept. of Homeland Security, 111 Massachusetts Ave.,
NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20529 (Reference DHS-2006-0044)

Good luck to all.
(*Source: AILA Advance Copy of Federal Register publication.)

[soltero]

Gary, what do you expect we will get for these new humongous fee increases? More cobwebs on the documents sitting in a service center, or faster processing times?

[Ray]

Faster processing times???     

[Parlay Rey]

I'm a little cynical but this seems like a deterrent when viewed in combination with IMBRA. Radfem Harpies are determined to force decent AMs to bow down to their gynocracy.

[william3rd]

In the explanations, they claim 48 bucks for informing the public and 19 bucks for fraud prevention and then a need for more employees.

It appears that they are going to waive VAWA applicants and a few other categories. Fee waivers based on means tests, etc.

The real story is cost shifting. Fiancee petitioners have money, unlike some of the other indigents that will be applying here in the US. For those that dont pay, somebody has to pay.

I notice that they failed to raise the 245I penalty fee higher from the current $1000. So all the folks hiding here can still work illegally and keep most of ther money. I would have pushed for a doubling of that fee.

[soltero]

Faster processing times???     

My sentiments exactly....It seems that if you want a foreign wife in this current environment, you better be ready to bend over and grab your ankles for the opportunity both going and coming. Thanks, Uncle Sam....can I have another....

[william3rd]

Hate mail-er, I mean, written comments, need to be received prior to April 2. . . . .