After February 26, 2024, the premium processing fees for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be increased. The rise in fees will be applicable for all forms eligible for premium processing, which facilitates the adjudication process for a maximum of 15 calendar days.
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Reason for the Increase
According to the USCIS, the reasons for the fee increase include the need to enhance adjudication processes while eliminating backlogs. They added that the additional revenue will benefit the agency by streamlining workflows, updating technology, and recruiting more adjudicators.
New Fee Amounts
The new premium processing fees will be charged according to the filed form type.
- For Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, the fee will increase from $1,440 to $2,500.
- For Form I-90, Application for Replacement of Permanent Resident Card (Green Card), the fee will increase from $575 to $725.
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Impact on Applicants
The fee hike will significantly impact applicants relying on premium processing to accelerate their cases. The additional cost may prevent some applicants from filing the application form. Others may opt for standard processing, a prolonged process spanning several months or even years.
Alternatives to Premium Processing
Furthermore, here are some other options for premium processing:
- Filing early: Filing the application form earlier can help reduce the processing time.
- Submitting a compelling case: A solid case filed with all the required documents may be rapidly adjudicated.
- Following up with USCIS: To check your case status or inquire about the delay, you can contact USCIS.
Conclusion
The hike in USCIS’s premium processing fees would notably impact applicants by financially burdening them. However, the additional revenue will upgrade the adjudication processes. The applicants are advised to observe the pros and cons before filing a form for premium processing.
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