The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to adjust its fee structure starting April 1, 2024, with exception to the Premium Processing Fee which is set to adjust slightly sooner on February 26, 2024. This change will affect a wide range of immigration applications and services. Here is a clear breakdown of what these adjustments mean for those planning to navigate the U.S. immigration system.
Understanding USCIS Fee Increases in 2024
Key Fee Increases*
- H-1B Visa Registration Fee: This fee will see a significant rise from $10 to $215 for each registration, starting from the fiscal year 2026 cap season. This marks a substantial increase aimed at covering the costs of administering the H-1B registration system.
- Asylum Program Fee: A new fee of $600 will be added to most Form I-129 and Form I-140 filings, aimed at funding the asylum program. Small employers (with 25 or fewer employees) will pay a reduced fee of $300, while nonprofit organizations are exempt.
- Form I-129 and Form I-140 Fee Adjustments: Filing fees for these forms, used for nonimmigrant worker petitions and immigrant petitions for alien workers, respectively, will vary. For example, the H-1B petition fee will increase to $780, and the L-1 petition fee will rise to $1,385.
- Adjustment of Status Applications: The fee for most adjustment of status applications will be set at $1,440, with a lower fee of $950 for applicants under 14 applying with a parent. Separate charges will be applied for employment authorization documents (EAD) and advance parole, diverging from the current bundled fee approach.
- The latest regulation broadens the scope of individuals eligible to pay fifty percent of the standard fee for Form N-400, known as the Application for Naturalization. Applicants whose household income falls at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) are now eligible to take advantage of this reduced rate for their Application for Naturalization.
*Please see table below for a more comprehensive list of fees. You can find all fee increases on the Federal Register Website.
Planning Ahead
For those affected, it’s crucial to plan for these increased costs, especially for employment-based petitions and applications postmarked on or after April 1, 2024. Employers may need to adjust their budgets to accommodate the higher fees, particularly for H-1B and L-1 visa petitions, as well as for green card applications.
Understanding these fee changes is essential for navigating the U.S. immigration process efficiently and effectively. Whether you’re an individual applicant or an employer, being aware of these updates can help you prepare for the financial aspects of your immigration journey.
| Type of Filing | Fee |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing) | $465 |
| I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $465 |
| I-129 H-1B | $780 |
| I-129 H-1B (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 |
| I-129 H-2A – Named Beneficiaries | $1,090 |
| I-129 H-2A – Named Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $545 |
| I-129 H-2A – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $530 |
| I-129 H-2A – Unnamed Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 |
| I-129 H-2B – Named Beneficiaries | $1,080 |
| I-129 H-2B – Named Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $540 |
| I-129 H-2B – Unnamed Beneficiaries | $580 |
| I-129 H-2B – Unnamed Beneficiaries (small employers and nonprofits) | $460 |
| I-129 Petition for L Nonimmigrant workers | $1,385 |
| I-129 Petition for L Nonimmigrant workers (small employers and nonprofits) | $695 |
| I-129 Petition for O Nonimmigrant workers | $1,055 |
| I-129 Petition for O Nonimmigrant workers (small employers and nonprofits) | $530 |
| I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) | $675 |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (online filing) | $625 |
| I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (paper filing) | $675 |
| I-131 Application for Travel Document | $630 |
| I-131 Application for Travel Document (with biometric services) | $630 |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older | $165 |
| I-131 Refugee Travel Document for an individual age 16 or older (with biometric services) | $165 |
| I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers | $715 |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status | $1,440 |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (with biometric services) | $1,440 |
| I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (under the age of 14 in certain conditions) | $950 |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing) | $470 |
| I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $470 |
| I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (Under Section 212(e) of the INA, as Amended) | $1,100 |
| I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence | $750 |
| I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence (with biometric services) | $750 |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing) | $520 |
| I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $520 |
| I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition | $590 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) | $760 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing) (with biometric services) | $760 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (applicants with household income between 150 and 400% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG)) | $380 |
| N-400 Application for Naturalization (applicants with household income between 150 and 400% of the FPG) (with biometric services) | $380 |
| N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship (paper filing) | $1,385 |
| USCIS Immigrant Fee | $235 |
For more information regarding the USCIS Fee increases, please visit the Federal Register.
To stay up-to-date on the latest immigration news and for more information, please be sure to visit our blog.
