USCIS has issued a final rule increasing filing fees for most immigration applications and petitions. The new fees go into effect December 23, 2016. USCIS explains that fees are increasing “for the first time in six years, by a weighted average of 21 percent.”
In addition, USCIS has established three levels of fees for persons filing the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization:
- Standard fee: The standard fee increases from $595 to $640. The additional biometrics fee (not applicable if you are age 75 or older or are filing under the military provisions) remains at $85.
- Reduced fee: The fee is $320 for applicants with family income greater than 150% but not more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The biometrics fee still applies as described above. To establish eligibility, file Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee.
- Fee Waiver: For applicants with family income at or under 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, the filing fee and biometrics fee are waived. To establish eligibility, file Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver.
Here are the fee increases for other selected applications and petitions:
| Form | Current Fee | New Fee |
| I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker | 325 | 460 |
| I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | 340 | 535 |
| I-130, Petition for Alien Relative | 420 | 535 |
| I-131, Application for Travel Document | 360 | 575 |
| I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | 580 | 700 |
| I-485, Application to Adjust Status (applicants age 14 or older) | 980 | 1140 |
| I-751, Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence | 505 | 595 |
For the complete final rule, see the USCIS Fee Schedule, 81 Fed. Reg. 73292 (Oct. 24, 2016) (to be codified at 8 C.F.R. § 103.7).
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