Welcome to the start of a new week! In this blog post we discuss an exciting new announcement and a quick reminder regarding upcoming increases in filing fees.
USCIS Announces Extension of Flexibility for RFE, NOID, and Similar Responses
On September 11, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended its previous policy granting applicants additional time to respond to requests for evidence, notices of intent to deny, and such similar notices.
Specifically, USCIS has stated that an applicant who has received a request, notice or decision dated between March 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021, may respond to such request or notice within 60 calendar days after the due date/deadline provided in the notice or request.
This flexibility is granted for the following types of notices, so long as the notice or request is dated between March 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021:
- Requests for Evidence;
- Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
- Notices of Intent to Deny;
- Notices of Intent to Revoke;
- Notices of Intent to Rescind and Notices of Intent to Terminate regional investment centers;
- Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant;
- Filing date requirements for Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA); or
- Filing date requirements for Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.
This flexibility has been provided to allow applicants the opportunity to gather important documentation needed to respond to the request or notice, given the extraordinary delays applicants have been facing in obtaining documents during the Coronavirus pandemic.
This policy ensures that USCIS will not take any adverse action on a case without first considering a response to the request or notice issued to the applicant.
USCIS will also consider a Form N-336 and Form I-290B “received” up to 60 calendar days from the date of the decision, before taking any action.
REMINDER: Increases in Fees Are Coming October 2nd
As a reminder, applicants and employers should be aware that USCIS will increase fees for certain types of applications and petitions beginning October 2nd.
The applications most impacted by this increase in fees include N-400 applications for naturalization, I-485 green card applications for applicants under 14 years of age, I-601A waivers, I-751 removal of conditions applications, I-765 non-DACA applications for employment authorization, and I-129 petitions for alien workers seeking H-1B, O, L, and CW status.
To avoid paying higher fees, applicants must postmark their applications before October 2nd.
Please see below for the amount by which these applications will increase beginning October 2nd.
For a complete list of fee increases click here.
- N-400 Application for Naturalization (online filing)
Current Fee: $640 + $85 biometrics
Final Fee: $1,160 (Increase of 81%)
- N-400 Application for Naturalization (paper filing)
Current Fee: $640 + $85 biometrics
Final Fee: $1,170 (Increase of 83%)
- I-129 H2A Named Beneficiaries
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $850 (Increase of 85%)
- I-129 L
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $805 (Increase of 75%)
- I-129 CW, I-129E&TN, and I-129 MISC
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $695 (Increase of 51%)
- I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (for applicants under the age of 14 years only)
Current Fee: $750
Final Fee: $1,130 (Increase of 51%)
- I-601A Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver
Current Fee: $630
Final Fee: $960 (Increase of 52%)
- I-129 H2B – Named Beneficiaries
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $715 (Increase of 55%)
- I-129 O
Current Fee: $460
Final Fee: $705 (Increase of 53%)
- I-765 Application for Employment Authorization NON-DACA
Current Fee: $410
Final Fee: $550 (Increase of 34%)
- I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions
Current Fee: $595
Final Fee: $760 (Increase of 28%)
Questions? If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text or call 619-569-1768.
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