UPDATE: Green Card Application Fees to Increase by 53% in May 2023

The planned fee increase by USCIS expired on March 13, 2023. The agency had originally set a March 6th deadline for public comment and had received over 6,000 public comments.

Because of the possible impact on US businesses and people, the projected cost increases have been received with concern.

WHEN WILL THIS BE IMPLEMENTED

It is uncertain whether the agency will proceed with the fee increases requested in January. The fee rises would affect practically every type of immigration to the United States, including employment-based visas like the H1B.

The total fees for many marriage-based green card applicants would more than double, from $1,760 to nearly $3,640. Furthermore, expenses for accompanying minors will no longer be waived, and their prices will be the same as for minor adult applicants.

This means that under the current charge proposal, the costs of bringing a spouse and two (2) children to the United States might reach $10,000 for an immigrant family of four.

COMMENT FROM USCIS DIRECTOR

The new cost structure, according to USCIS Director Ur Mendoza Jaddou, will help the agency to strengthen customer service operations and manage the incoming burden.

USCIS obtains around 96% of its financing from filing fees, and no additional fees have been established since 2016. The proposed final rule, which was issued on January 4, 2023, prompted the agency to hold a 60-day comment process before any changes based on comments could take effect.

Following any changes, the final regulation will be issued, which could happen as soon as 30 days following the conclusion of the public comment period. The final published regulation will say when the new rule will go into effect, which might be 30 days or more after publication.

If the final rule mirrors the recommended fee increases included in the proposal, these new fees could take effect as soon as May 2023.

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