Update: September 29, 2020
On September 29, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a preliminary injunction halting implementation of USCIS’s Fee Rule.
Meaning: For now, the USCIS fee increase scheduled for October 2nd is held off.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a considerable increase in immigration fees starting October 2nd, 2020.
This increase in fees for certain immigration and naturalization benefits seeks to ensure that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) covers its operational costs.
USCIS is a fee-founded agency, and filing fees make up to practically 97% of their funds. The current fees would leave the agency with a loss of $1 Billion for the next year. That’s why this update modifies fees by a weighted average increment of 20%, with a higher impact on categories such as green card through marriage and naturalization.
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.
At the Immigration Law Office of Los Angeles, we want you to be informed and aware of government fees so there are no hidden fees. That’s why we are listing the most updated USCIS fees for every immigration service:
Family:
Business / Employment:
H-1B Visa
* Note that if the hiring company has 25 or less full-time workers, the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) fee is only $750.
Note that if more than 50 percent of the company’s employees are in H-1B, L-1A or L-1B non-immigrant status, there is a $4,500 fee under the Pub. L. 114-113 rule.
PERM
Note that there’s additional recruitment costs paid directly to the newspaper/advertising media.
Other:
VAWA
*Self-petitioning abused spouses or children of U.S. citizens or permanent resident are exempt from paying this fee. Otherwise, the new fee would be $450 (previous fee: $435).
**Note that the filing fee for the I-485 form based on having been admitted to the United States as a refugee is $0.
If you are seeking representation in your immigration case, we invite you to contact us.
With more 35,000 cases approved and a 5 Star rating on Google, we are the best option to secure your future in the U.S.
Give us a call at (213) 375-4084 or (800) 792-9889
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