Ask ISSP Column

Question: Is USCIS proposing a fee increase for certain applications? What are the details?

Answer: On February 1, 2007, USCIS proposed substantially raising the processing fees of most applications and petitions. This proposal was published in the Federal Register. USCIS intends to use these fee increases to support several improvements, including reduced application processing times, expansion of online services, and enhancing the security and integrity of the immigration system.

Some of the proposed fee increases that are likely to affect Emory University students and scholars are:

Form	Current Fee	Proposed Fee
I-129 (petition for nonimmigrant worker, including H-1B, TN, and O-1)	$190	$320
I-140 (immigrant petition for alien worker)	$195	$475
I-485 (application to adjust status to permanent resident)	$325	$905
I-539 (application to extend or change nonimmigrant status)	$200	$300
I-765 (application for employment authorization)	$180	$340

Public comment on these fee increases will be accepted until April 2, 2007. For more information about the proposed fee increases and/or to send your comments, please visit this section of the USCIS website: www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/PRBuilding1.pdf

Fees will not be raised until USCIS publishes a final rule. ISSP will inform the Emory community of the status of these proposed increases as developments occur.