Recent Increases to Petition and Application Fees are Final

Houston, TX (Law Firm Newswire) December 1, 2016 – The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency has released a statement of the most recent adjustments on immigration petition fees and benefit applications.

According to USCIS the adjustments are now not only final, but executory. Because the adjustments are executory, possible questions arise as to whether or not the stated final changes will indeed be final and what remains before they are executed.

“The new fees mean an average increase of 21 percent for most petitions and applications,” explained respected Huston immigration attorney, Annie Banerjee.

According to USCIS, the increase is required to cover enhanced expenses by the agency for national security, fraud detection, case processing, enhancing customer service and offering pro bono services to asylum seekers and refugees.

By law the agency must review ongoing costs every two years to determine if they are keeping pace with actual expenses or if the expenses are escalating and are not recovering enough funds. Prices may not be adjusted without notice. Now that the review has been completed, USCIS sends their request for a price increase to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The increased fees for 2016/2017 come after a zero increase in fees after fiscal years 2012 and 2014. There is a possibility that the 21 percent increase will have an effect on the number of individuals applying.

The new fees are:
· Form N-400, Application for Naturalization: from $595 to $640
· Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship: from $550/$600 to $1,170
· Form N-600K, Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322: from $550/$600 to $1,170
· Form I-924A, Annual Certification of Regional Center: $3,035

Even though the fee increases have not yet been officially approved, it is highly doubtful that DHS would deny the increase or the implementation of the new fees.

“As with all new forms and fees to be implemented by USCIS, if you have any questions or concerns, our office is able to assist you,” said Banerjee.

Learn more at http://www.visatous.com Law Offices of Annie Banerjee 131 Brooks Street, Suite #300 Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Phone: (281) 242-9139