USCIS Proposed Fee Increases 2007

[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.)

[GrizGator]

Wow, those are some significant increases! I thought it was already quite expensive. Just cuts checks for almost $1,000 for the AOS and EAD for my wife and step-daughter. Add that to the I-130 (twice), I-129F, and the embassy interview fee ($100 x 2). Let's not forget the costs of the medical exam, necessary immunizations, travel to and from Bogota, etc.

I am sure there is reason for an increase....and I am sure the government believes (although not stated) that this MIGHT decrease fraudulent visa applications....but to me, it only puts a squeeze on folks on tight budgets who have legitimate love interests abroad. The affadavit of support poverty level guidelines will become even less relevant....because who making poverty level wages can actually afford those fees!

Wow!

Griz