On Jan. 4, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a proposed rule that would increase immigration fees. USCIS calls these "modest" increases, but the proposed fee increases are substantial, including a 70% increase for H-1B petitions (from $460 to $780); a 201% increase for L-1 petitions (from $460 to $1,325); and a 201% increase for E and TN petitions (from $460 to $1,015). If approved, the rule also would increase fees for adjustment applicants, eliminate the "no fee" for EAD and advance parole applications, and eliminate the I-485 "discount" for children, among other changes that would impact the business community and individual immigration applicants. USCIS has not increased fees since 2016. The proposed rule and FAQs published on the USCIS website state that the increased costs are needed to increase efficiency, among other things. Due to increased pressure and pushback against the increases, the fee hike was put on hold until 2024. The proposed rule is now back under the review of The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs and is likely to be finalized within the next 90 days. The fees would go into effect 60 days after the rule is approved.
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