USCIS Filing Fee Increases Go into Effect from Nov. 23, 2010

The adjustment of USCIS filing fees, which was published in the Federal Register on September 24, will go into effect on November 23, 2010। Please note that while there is an increase in most fees, some fees were reduced while others remained the same.
For USCIS's complete listing of Filing Adjustments, visit here.

Roughly 90 percent of USCIS's operating budget comes from applicant filing fees. A fee adjustment, as detailed in the final rule, was necessary to ensure that USCIS recovers the costs of its operations while also meeting the application processing goals identified in the 2007 fee rule.

In addition to the above fee adjustments, the new fee rule expands the availability of fee waivers to new categories, including:

• Individuals seeking humanitarian parole under an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131);
• Individuals with any benefit request under the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008; and
• Individuals filing a Notice of Appeal or Motion (Form I-290B) following a denial of any application or petition that did not initially require a fee.