Major Fee Increases for Family-Based Green Cards

Inspired by the tenacious immigrants he encountered in New York, attorney Henry Weil is dedicated to representing clients in cases associated with naturalization and immigration. Based in New York City, Henry Weil works with multilingual staff to provide no-cost consultation and individualized legal counsel for immigrants facing numerous immigration matters, including family petitions.

U.S. Citizens and permanent residents may apply for certain first-degree relatives to receive permanent residency, which gives the holder the right to live and work in the U.S. However, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that processes these petitions, has sought to substantially increase the fees associated with family-based green card applications. The rule change was announced in August 2020 and slated to be enforced in early October.

Petitioners applying from the United States may be required to pay an extra $990 for work and travel permit applications. Prior to the fee change, these applications could be filed at no cost. USCIS has also planned significant fee increases to other essential immigration forms including the I-751, used for non-citizen spouses on conditional green cards. Fee waivers have also been eliminated for most applicants. The changes were not enforced as scheduled due to a nationwide injunction issued by a California U.S. District Court.