Starting April 1, USCIS’ recent overhaul of its fee schedule will dramatically increase costs for many applicants and petitioners.   The changes include increases to form filing fees, unbundling payments for certain immigration benefits, and a new Asylum Program Surcharge on many employment-based filings.

On the employment-based side, highlights include increases to three types of petitions filed with Form I-129.

• For H-1B visas, filing fees will rise to $780, but remain at $460 for small or nonprofit employers;
• For L visas, fees will increase to $1,385 for large employers and to $695 for small or nonprofit employers;
• O visas will rise to $1,055 for large employers and to $530 for small or nonprofit employers.

But that isn’t the end of the matter.  An additional “Asylum Program Surcharge” of $600 applies to cases filed with Form I-129 as well as to cases filed with Form I-140 (though the surcharge drops to $300 for small employers and $0 for non-profits). That puts the “modest” $15 increase in the Form I-140 filing fee in a different light.     

In addition, the H-1B pre-registration fee will go from $10 to $215 dollars per beneficiary.   The silver lining is that, due to the Federal funding year calendar, H-1B employers won’t have to pay the pre-registration increase until March, 2025.

On the family-based side fees for the I-130 will rise to $675 (or $625 for e-filing).  

Adjustment will also come at increased cost:  I-485 fees will go up to $ 1,440 *and* separate, additional, increased fees will apply to Advanced Parole (Form I-131, new fee $630) and Work Authorization (Form I-765, new fee $260) applications.   That means that the cost for all three forms will rise from its current $1,225 to $2,330. 

Finally, on February 26, Premium Processing fees will increase to $2,805. 

USCIS has many sub-categories, exceptions, and variations so not all fees will be the same for all people.  To verify fees in your individual case, you may consult the document setting forth the changes in detail or consult your immigration attorney.