As a reminder, the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin charging higher filing fees for most applications beginning November 23, 2010. The USCIS conducts filing fee reviews every 2 years to determine whether costs to administer the immigration laws, process applications, and provide the technology and personnel needed are being recovered. The USCIS, a fee based agency uses about [...]

The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) reported yesterday that effective November 23, 2010, the filing fees for processing applications for immigration benefits will be raised by approximately 10%. The USCIS is a fee-based organization with approximately 90% of its budget comes from fees paid by applicants. The filing fee increase establishes three (3) new fees.  First, [...]

The U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) reported that on August 13, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Southwest Border Security Bill, also known as the Border Bill. The law contains a provision to raise the filing fees effective immediately for certain H-1B  and L-1 visa applications. The additional fees of $2,000 for H-1B visa and $2,250 for L-1 visa applications are applicable only to petitioning employers that [...]

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) seeks public comments on its proposal to increase filing fees for the adjudication of applications, and to recover costs in administering the immigration laws. The proposal was posted yesterday in the Federal Register.  The proposed increase would raise filing fees for most applications by 10%. The comment period begins on June 11, 2010 and ends on July 26, 2010.  [...]

The Los Angeles Times reported today that the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) is considering raising filing fees for certain applications, mainly, the application to become a permanent resident. The filing fee for Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status) is currently at $ 1,010.  USCIS’ plan is to raise the fee to $ [...]

The Orlando Sentinel reported this week that the federal government is considering raising filing fees on applications for immigration benefits to raise revenue. Alejandro Mayorkas, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), told reporters Wednesday in Los Angeles, “The agency is considering cutting costs, raising fees or reorienting revenue in the next two years to alleviate [...]