The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a proposal disparaging a significant increase in most green card application fees. This proposal has been met with many concerns, however, USCIS claims the proposal will dramatically benefit the legal immigration system. Continue to follow along to learn what the raise in fees for green card applications means for permanent residents and those seeking to sponsor a family for permanent residency. In addition, contact our seasoned Essex County Green Card Attorneys who can help you navigate this situation.
What is USCIS’s proposed increase in green card application fees?
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USICS) recently made a proposal that stipulated application fees for most categories of immigration to the U.S. would significantly increase. According to research, permanent residents in the U.S. seeking to sponsor their family for permanent residency through a green card application can expect the fees to increase by 33% to $710. Additionally, certain fees, like those for employment-based visas and family-based applications would face significant increases. This proposal would increase employment-based fees for H-2A and H-2B visas from $460 to $1,080 and $1,090.
The proposal also indicated the fees for marriage-based green card applications could double. The fees would be increased from $1,760 to over $3,640. Those seeking to bring their finance to the U.S. would face an application increase of 35%, from $535 to $720. Moreover, the proposal intends to charge employers seeking to sponsor immigrants for permanent U.S. residency. Temporary work visa fees would see an additional $600 fee. This additional charge would help fund the asylum program responsible for screening asylum seekers at the southern border. Despite this proposal increasing some fees, USCIS still plans on preserving existing fee waiver eligibility for low-income and vulnerable populations.
Why did USCIS propose an increase?
Many people are wondering why USCIS has proposed an increase in fees for green card applications. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the immigration system has faced significant backlogs of pending cases. This backlog has resulted in a major reduction in new applications. The fee increases for certain petitions will help speed up application reviews. This will help alleviate the current backlog that has caused a temporary drop in revenue by 40%. Additionally, the fee increases will help USCIS hire more staff and recover operational costs. It is important to note that these proposed changes are not in effect.
For more information on how USCIS’s proposal for raised fees for most green card applications, please contact a proficient Essex County green card attorney. This increase in certain petitions can hinder your ability to obtain permanent residency in the U.S. Our firm is committed to helping our clients understand the necessary steps to becoming a permanent resident in the U.S.
