USCIS immigration fee increases go into effect on April 1

• USCIS immigration fee increases take effect.
• Immigrants face higher costs.
• The changes started on April 1.

Immigrants entering the United States face another obstacle starting on April 1.

Some of the application and processing fees are increasing by a shocking amount.

This leaves immigrants dismayed and frustrated as they hope to enter the U.S.

Before you continue reading, we invite you to listen to the new Tu Mundo Hoy podcast by clicking HERE.

Click on the image to listen to the podcast

USCIS immigration fee increase takes effect

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a significant fee increase.

This is the first change since 2016 and affects various immigration processes and applications.

This measure will undoubtedly be affecting many who seek to migrate to the U.S.

There are some reductions but some of the increases amount to an astonishing 201%.

Which processes are affected?

The increase will be felt most in the areas of employment-based visas, work permits, adjustment of status, citizenship, naturalization and family applications.

The rate increase was announced on January 31 through the Federal Register, following a one-year period of public comments.

This action is part of an effort by USCIS to recover a significant portion of its operating costs and expedite the processing of new applications.

USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou highlighted the importance of the immigration fee increase, noting that it will allow the agency to serve those it serves in a more timely manner.

Discounts for some applicants

In addition to the rate adjustment, USCIS has implemented exemptions and discounts for certain applicants, according to AS

These are aimed at low-income victims of human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as members of the U.S. military.

New features include a $50 discount for those filing returns online, and expanded eligibility for reduced fees to low-income filers.

According to the aforementioned media, this seeks to make the process more accessible for those who face economic barriers.

How the fee increase will affect certain processes

The agency, which finances 96% of its operation through immigration fees, has been under scrutiny due to increasing delays in processing.

The fee adjustment is presented as a measure to improve the efficiency and response capacity of USCIS to the demands of the immigration system.

Among the specific changes, the I-90 process to replace the permanent resident card (online, with and without biometric services) will be reduced from $455 to $415.

While the I-129 for nonimmigrant worker classification will now cost beteween $460 and $1,385, depending on the type of visa and other factors.

Preparing applicants for the new fees

Filing an I-102 to replace entry or exit documents will cost $560, according to AS.

It is important to note that these new rates went into effect on Monday April 1, 2024, according to the USCIS website.

Applicants must be prepared for changes in costs associated with immigration procedures.