While INS Commissioner Doris Meissner continues to pledge that the INS will not raise fees until the agency has met specific customer service goals, the agency has, nevertheless, proceeded to issue proposed fee increases. The agency claims that it is currently losing close to a $1 million a day because fees don’t offset the cost of providing services. The agency claims that the only way to make a real dent in service problems is to raise fees.
The INS plans to raise 30 of the 40 fees it charges for various applications. The fees are apparently based on recommendations from a private management consulting firm retained by the INS. The public has 60 days from January 12, 1998 to issue comments.
List of Proposed INS Application and Petition Fee Increases:
Form: I-17
Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Students
Current Fee: $140
Proposed Fee: $200
For school approval, except in the case of a school or school system owned or operated as a public educational institution or system by the United States or a state or political subdivision thereof.
Form: I-90
Application to Replace Alien Registration Card (“Green Card”)
Current Fee: $75
Proposed Fee: $110
For Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551) in lieu of an obsolete card or in lieu of one
lost, mutilated or destroyed, or in a changed name.
Form: I-102
Application for Replacement/Initial Non-immigrant Arrival-Departure Document (I-94)
Current Fee: $65
Proposed Fee: $85
For replacement of lost, mutilated, or destroyed I-94 (e.g., required for B-1, B-2 visa holders).
Form: I-129/
I-129H
I-129L
Petitions for Nonimmigrant Workers
Current Fee: $75 Base Fee
Proposed Fee: $110
If a petition with unnamed beneficiaries, base fee per petition. If petition with named beneficiaries, base fee plus additional fee if requesting consulate or port-of-entry notification for visa issuance or admission, requesting a change of status or extension of stay, or for including dependents.
129H: To classify as temporary worker.
129L: To employ intracompany transferee.
Form: I-129F
Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)
Current Fee: $75
Proposed Fee: $95
To classify nonimmigrant as fiancé(e).
Form: I-130
Petition for Alien Relative
Current Fee: $80
Proposed Fee: $110
To classify status of alien relative for issuance of immigrant visa
Form: I-131
Application for Travel Document
Current Fee: $70
Proposed Fee: $95
For issuance of reentry permit or parole.
Form: I-140
Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
Current Fee: $75
Proposed Fee: $115
To classify status on the basis of profession or occupation.
Form: I-191
Application for Advance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile
Current Fee: $90
Proposed Fee: $170
For advance permission for otherwise inadmissible applicants to reenter the United States.
Form: I-192
Application for Advance Permission to Enter As a Nonimmigrant
Current Fee: $90
Proposed Fee: $170
For discretionary relief of inadmissible applicants, except in an emergency case and/or where approval benefits the U.S. government.
Form: I-193
Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa
Current Fee: $95
Proposed Fee: $170
Request for waiver of passport or visa for persons applying for entry to the U.S. (e.g. expired).
Form: I-212
Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal
Current Fee: $95
Proposed Fee: $170
Applicant was removed from the United States and applies for reentry.
Form: I-485
Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
Current Fee: $130
Proposed Fee: $220
For permanent resident status and issuance of I-551 (“Green Card”)
Form: I-526
Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
Current Fee: $155
Proposed Fee: $350
Application for Investor Visa.
Form: I-539
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Current Fee: $75
Proposed Fee: $120
Change of status within nonimmigrant categories.
Form: I-600
I-600A
Petition to Classify Orphan As an Immediate Relative
Current Fee: $155
Proposed Fee: $405
Application for orphans. I-600A: for advance processing.
Form: I-601
Application for Waiver on Grounds of Excludability
Current Fee: $95
Proposed Fee: $170
For waiver of ground of excludability for inadmissible applicants.
Form: I-612
Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement of Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, As Amended
Current Fee: $95
Proposed Fee: $170
Waiver of two-year residence requirement for exchange visitors.
Form: I-751
Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence
Current Fee: $80
Proposed Fee: $125
To make permanent the 2-year conditional period of residence based on marriage to a U.S. citizen.
Form: I-765
Application for Employment Authorization
Current Fee: $70
Proposed Fee: $100
Applicant for work permit.
Form: I-817
Application for Voluntary Departure Under the Family Unity Act
Current Fee: $80
Proposed Fee: $120
Applicant of family members for voluntary departure.
Form: I-824
Action on an Approved Application or Petition
Current Fee: $30
Proposed Fee: $120
Request for additional action on approved petition.
Form: I-829
Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Residence
Current Fee: $90
Proposed Fee: $345
Self-explanatory
Form: N-400
Application for Naturalization
Current Fee: $95
Proposed Fee: $225
Self-explanatory
Form: N-565
Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate
Current Fee: $65
Proposed Fee: $135
Self-explanatory
Form: N-600
Application for Certificate of Citizenship
Current Fee: $100
Proposed Fee: $160
Self-explanatory
Form: Application for Certificate of Citizenship in Behalf of an Adopted Child
Current Fee: $80
Proposed Fee: $125
Self-explanatory
Last month, we reported that the State Department is planning to raise its fees as well. The following new fees took effect on February 1, 1998:
Passports/Citizenship
Fee to Execute a Passport Application:
Old – $10.00 New – $15.00
First-time Passport Issuance:
Old – $55.00 New – $45.00
(10 year validity)
Renewals:
Old – $55.00 New – $40.00
Five-year Passport for Minors:
Old – $40.00 New – $25.00
New Fee for Citizenship Adjudication for Previously Undocumented Passport
Applications Born Overseas:
Old – $0.00 New – $100.00
Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States:
Old – $10.00 New – $40.00
Documentary Services for American Citizen
Notarial Services:
Old – $10.00 New – $55.00
Visas
NIV/MRV Application Fee:
Old – $20.00 New – $45.00
Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee:
Old – $200.00 New – $260.00
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.