On November 14th, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published proposed fee increases in the federal register (available here). Included in their proposals are changes to the fees for form I-485, the application filed by individuals to adjust status to lawful permanent resident (green card holder) inside the U.S.
At first glance, the proposed change seems beneficial to applicants: the fee for form I-485, including the biometrics component, will decrease slightly from $1,225 to $1,205.
However, at the same time DHS will re-introduce filing fees for I-485 applicants who would like to apply for temporary work and/or travel authorization (forms I-765 and I-131 respectively). Since July 2007, I-485 applicants have been able to submit those applications free of charge. Once the new fees are introduced, an individual submitting all 3 applications will pay a total $2,195 ($1,205 for the I-485 and biometrics component, $490 for the I-765, and $585 for the I-131). This represents an increase of almost 80% when compared to the current cost of submitting those three applications.
Whether or not I-485 applicants require temporary travel and/or work authorization will depend on their current non-immigrant status, international travel needs, and job security. Not all applicants will be hit by these developments, but many will.
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Note: The information in this post is general in nature, does not represent legal advice, and should not be relied on to determine immigration strategy and/or prepare an immigration application for a U.S. government agency. Immigration law is a rapidly changing field and each case has its own facts that will determine the appropriate strategy.
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