Recently USCIS Released New Fee Structure | What Employers Need to Check
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We all know that recently USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) announced that it is executing another filing fee plan which will take impact from 2nd October 2020. USCIS is likewise updating various key employment-based immigration forms, for example, new editions of the Form I-129 nonimmigrant worker petition for H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other nonimmigrant classifications. Currently, the new forms are not accessible. Also, USCIS expanding the time period for premium processing from 15 calendar days to 15 business days. An overview of the new fee changes for well known employment-based classifications are mentioned below:
In the below table, we have mentioned a complete overview of the fee adjustments for employers. So employers check the new fee schedule once.
| Visa Category | New Fee | Old Fee | Changes | Percent Change |
| I-129 (H-1B) | $555 | $460 | $95 | 21% |
| I-129 (L-1) | $805 | $460 | $345 | 75% |
| I-129 (E/TN) | $695 | $460 | $235 | 51% |
| I-129 (O-1) | $705 | $460 | $245 | 53% |
| I-539 (Dependent Visa) | $400 | $370 | $30 | 8% |
| I-140 (Immigrant Visa) | $555 | $700 | -$145 | -21% |
| I-485 (Adjustment of Status) | $1,140 | $1,130 | -$10 | -1% |
| I-485 (under 14) | $750 | $1,130 | $380 | 51% |
| I-765 (EAD) | $550 | $410 | $140 | 34% |
| I-131 (Advance Parole) | $590 | $575 | $15 | 3% |
| Biometrics | $30 | $85 | -$55 | -65% |
| I-907 (Premium Processing) | $1,440 | $1,440 | $0 | 0% |
The new fee changes will become effective from beginning October 2nd, 2020. Filings postmarked 1st October 2020 or prior will stay subject to the present fee plan.
[H-1B Visa Regulations Expected to be Overhauled]
Some New Changes to the Adjustment of Status Filing Scheme
One significant change for AOS ( Adjustment of Status) applications is that the Form I-485, Form I-131, and Form I 765 have been de-coupled – separate expenses are currently required. Under the present filing fee plan, Adjustment of Status candidates pay a single USCIS filing cost of $1,140 for every candidate, and that fee covers the expenses of the Form I-485, I 131, and I 765. Under the new expense plan, a different filing fee is required for each form. Furthermore, under the existing fee plan, Form I-131 and Form I-765 renewal applications for Adjustment of Status candidates don’t need a USCIS filing fee. According to the new expense plan, a different filing fee will be required for Form I-131 and Form I-765 renewal applications.
New Fee Change for H-1B and L-1 Dependent Employers
According to new fees increases, USCIS will likewise require certain employers to pay extra border security expenses. Presently, employers with more than 50 workers, 50% of whom are in H-1B or L-1 status, are needed to pay an extra $4,000 when demanding for an initial or change of employer H-1B, or $4,500 for an initial L-1. Under the last guideline, employers subject to the extra charge must bear this expense with each extension, in addition to the initial filing.
Affected Employers need to represent the new fees’ budget impacts, and should be aware of the new premium processing timeline when preparing Form I-129 and Form I-140 filings.
