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The Trump administration on Friday increased fees for various immigration services including application for permanent residency and application for naturalization.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) says the hike was necessary in order for the agency to meet its operational needs, saying unlike other government agencies, USCIS is fee-funded.
“Unlike most government agencies, USCIS is fee funded. Fees collected and deposited into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account fund nearly 97% of USCIS’ budget,” USCIS said In a statement.
Starting October 2nd, 2020, permanent residents applying for US citizenship (Form N-400) will pay a fee of $1,160 if filing online, an 81 percent increase from the current $640. This filing paper application will pay a fee of $1,70, up 83 percent from the current $640.
Foreign nationals applying for Suspension of Deportation (I-881) will pay $1,810, 535% increase from the current $285.
Applicants seeking to Remove Conditions on Residence (I-751) will fork up $760 an increase of 28% from the current $595, while those applying for Employment Authorization (I-765) will pay $550, up 34% from the current $410.
The Biometric Services fee will be reduced from $85 to $30.
USCIS says the new rules are effective October 2nd, 2020, adding that any “application, petition, or request postmarked on or after this date must include payment of the new, correct fees established by this final rule.”