International Student Services

USCIS Fee Increase (6/12/2007)

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is raising their fees associated with nonimmigrant applications such as I-765 (Optional Practical Training), I-130/ I-140/ I-485 (Permanent Residency), I-539 (Change of Status), etc.  The new fees will go into effect on July 30, 2007. This final rule states that “Applications or petitions mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed, on or after July 30, 2007 must include the new fee. ”  
Examples of the fee increases are: 
I-756 fee (Optional Practical Training or Economic Hardship): 
Currently $180, on or after July 30th will be $340.

I-539 fee (Change of Status or Reinstatement): 
Currently $200, on or after July 30th will be $300.

I-102 fee (Replacement of I-94): 
Currently $160, on or after July 30th will be $320.

A full list of the new fees can be found at:  http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/FinalUSCISFeeSchedule052907.pdf

More information can be found at:  http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/FinalFeeRulePressRelease052907.pdf

These fee increases may create a financial hardship for students who will file the above nonimmigrant applications in the future. Therefore, if you are planning to file an application with the USCIS in the near future we encourage you to file as soon as possible to avoid the fee increase.  Please remember than OPT applications cannot be filed more than 120 days before the completion date.

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