USCIS Announces Premium Processing Fee Adjustment to Address Inflation
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced a significant development that impacts the premium processing fees associated with various immigration forms. This adjustment, as a result of inflation, marks a strategic move by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure the continued efficiency and improvement of USCIS services.
Key Changes and Background:
The USCIS Stabilization Act initially established the current premium processing fees, giving DHS the authority to adjust them biennially. Despite maintaining these fees for three years, USCIS is now adapting to inflation by increasing the premium processing fees across all eligible forms and categories. This adjustment, based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers from June 2021 to June 2023, will be effective starting February 26, 2024.
Details of the Fee Adjustment:
The premium processing fees for various forms will experience specific changes. Notable adjustments include:
Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker):
H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status: $1,685 (previously $1,500)
All other available classifications: $2,805 (previously $2,500)
Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker):
Employment-based (EB) classifications: $2,805 (previously $2,500)
Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status):
Various classifications: $1,965 (previously $1,750)
Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization):
Certain F-1 students: $1,685 (previously $1,500)
Utilization of Increased Revenue:
The revenue generated from the premium processing fee adjustment will be strategically utilized to enhance USCIS services. These improvements include investing in premium processing services, refining adjudication processes, addressing backlogs in benefit request processing, and providing necessary funding for USCIS adjudication and naturalization services.
Effective Date and Application Submission Guidelines:
The fee change will take effect on February 26, 2024. USCIS emphasizes that any Form I-907 postmarked on or after this date with an incorrect filing fee will be rejected, and the filing fee will be returned. For those using commercial courier services, the postmark date is determined by the courier receipt.
Conclusion:
The USCIS premium processing fee adjustment aligns with the commitment to maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of immigration services. As the fees undergo revision to account for inflation, USCIS aims to continue delivering high-quality adjudication and naturalization services. Applicants and stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed about these changes and adhere to the updated fee structure for a seamless immigration process.
Note: Premium processing requests are only applicable if USCIS has officially announced their availability for a specific benefit on their website.