USCIS has finalized plans to raise filing fees for almost all of its filing forms on 12/23/2016. Although the increases represent a weighted average of 21% above the current fees, the changes range from a modest 8% for Naturalization (N-400) to over 100% for children seeking proof of US Citizenship status obtained via parents (N-600/N-600k).

A detailed breakdown of new and old fees can be found on the USCIS fee page. It’s worth noting that cases which require the applicant to appear for a biometric appointment will NOT see a corresponding increase in the biometric fee. Only the form fee itself will increase.

I-129f Fiance Visa (K1) petitions will go from $340 to $535 (57%), I-130 family petitions rise from $420 to $535 (27%) and I-485 adjustment of status applications (requiring an $85 biometric fee) will see the total fee increase from $1070 to $1225 (15%). In addition, the $165 green card printing fee for immigrant visa cases will rise to $220. The fee is charged to all new permanent residents who enter the US on an approved immigrant visa.

Keep in mind that these are only USCIS fee increases. If an immigration case also requires activity at a US Embassy or Consulate abroad, the State Department’s fee schedule will apply. Fees at the State Department are generally not as high as USCIS fees, but they do change more frequently (typically ever 2 years). It’s also important to note that while the US government only accepts credit cards for N-400 applications, most immigration attorneys, like me, accept credit cards for their own fees.

Silver Lining: It has been six years since USCIS last raised fees and, although some of them are downright painful, hopefully it will be another six before they increase again. Also, since USCIS is funded almost entirely from user fees, problems like the federal budget deficit, sequester and government shutdown do no affect this government agency very much at all.