Today, Monday October 24, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Final Rule in the Federal Register with the new fee schedule for immigration and naturalization benefit requests processed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). DHS increased fees by a weighted average of 21 percent. The Rule will become effective 60 days from today on Friday, December 23, 2016. D&S has made a Fee Schedule Comparison Chart for the most common types of business immigration filings.
USCIS Proposes Parole Program for Entrepreneurs
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is proposing a parole program for entrepreneurs who would provide a “significant public benefit” to the United States. Under the proposed rule, which is in line with the initiatives put in place in President Obama’s November 2014 memorandum on “Modernizing and Streamlining the U.S. Immigrant Visa System for the 21st Century,” and the July 2015 White House report on improving the current immigration system, certain international entrepreneurs would become eligible for parole into the United States in order to start or grow a U.S.-based businesses.
Read MoreDHS PROPOSED RULE FOR USCIS FEE SCHEDULE INCREASE
Today the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a New Rule in the Federal Register following its review of United States Citizenship and Immigration Service's (USCIS) filing fee schedule. The weighted average increase for USCIS fees is 21%.
Fee comparisons for the most common types of filings are summarized in the attached D&S USCIS Fee Comparison Chart.
Of note, DHS's proposed rule establishes a three-level fee for the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization and clarifies that individuals filing a benefit request may be required to pay the biometrics services fee and appear for biometrics services or an interview.
The Rule's 60 day comment period starts today, May 4, 2016.
D&S will continue to monitor and provide updates as they become available.