Understanding USCIS Fee Increases for 2024

Brace Yourselves: Fee Increases on Immigration Applications Are Coming

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant change that will affect countless immigrants and applicants: a comprehensive increase in the fees for most of its applications, effective April 1, 2024. The decision to adjust the fees comes in response to rising operational costs and inflation, which have significantly impacted the agency's budget and resources. This adjustment aims to ensure that USCIS can continue providing timely and efficient services to applicants while covering the increased costs of processing immigration benefits. With the deadline fast approaching, applicants are urged to prepare and submit their applications before these changes take effect to avoid the additional financial burden.

Which Fees Are Increasing?

Among the numerous applications seeing fee increases, a few stand out due to their common use and the substantial impact on the applicants:

• I-90 Application for Green Card Renewal
  Individuals looking to renew or replace their Permanent Resident Card will see a fee increase for paper filings, going up slightly, emphasizing the push towards online filing as a more cost-effective option.
• I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Workers
  This widely used form for employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant workers in various categories, including H-1B, L, and O visas, will experience one of the more significant fee increases. This change is poised to impact both large corporations and smaller businesses relying on skilled foreign workers.
• I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
  Family-based immigration is also affected, with increases for both online and paper filings. This form is crucial for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are sponsoring family members for immigration to the United States.
• I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
  Applicants looking to adjust their status to become lawful permanent residents will face higher fees, a change that affects a broad spectrum of immigrants, from those marrying U.S. citizens to employees seeking permanent residency through their employment.
   

For a full list of fee increases and forms, view the FAQ on USCIS' website.

How ImmiTranslate Can Assist Amidst Rising Costs

Expedited Translations for Your Immigration Needs

ImmiTranslate recognizes the stress and financial strain these fee increases can impose on applicants. To mitigate the impact, we offer expedited translation services that boast a turnaround of several hours for urgent needs. However, for those looking to plan ahead and avoid rush fees:

• Standard Turnaround
  We recommend getting your translations done within our normal standard turnaround time, which is 24 - 48 hours for documents under 6 pages, and 3-5 days for documents under 15 pages. This window ensures your documents are ready well in advance of your application submission.
• Last Day for Standard Turnaround
  To ensure your translations are completed in time for the USCIS deadline, the last day to submit documents for translation on our standard turnaround is approximately March 25, 2024.
• Last Minute Filings and Translations
  For those in a crunch, we can still assist with last-minute filings until March 28, 2024. However, we highly encourage applicants not to wait until the last moment to avoid unnecessary stress and potential delays.
   

Making Online Filing More Accessible

In light of these fee changes, USCIS is encouraging online filings by making it a cheaper option for select forms. The MyUSCIS online filing system has been enhanced to provide a more streamlined and cost-effective application process. This move not only helps applicants save on filing fees but also expedites the processing time, making it a win-win for all parties involved.

As USCIS adjusts its fees to reflect the current economic climate and operational needs, ImmiTranslate remains committed to supporting immigrants through their journey with affordable, accurate, and timely translation services. Whether you're filing last minute or planning ahead, our team is here to ensure your documents meet USCIS requirements without breaking the bank.