New USCIS Filing Fees and New Premium Processing Timeframe Announced

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule on new filing fees on certain U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) immigration petitions and benefit applications effective April 1, 2024, along with a set of Frequently Asked Questions on these fee adjustments. 

These fee adjustments are in addition to the Premium Processing fee increases effective February 26, 2024.  

ISSO recommends that academic departments submit checks with new fee amounts on all future visa sponsorship requests. 

The complete set of fee increases are included in the USCIS final rule linked above, and include: 

• Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
• Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status 

In addition, effective April 1, 2024, USCIS Premium Processing time for employment-based petitions (H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1) will change from 15 calendar days to 15 business days (i.e. Monday-Friday, excluding federal holidays).