VISA FEE INCREASE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 2013

A new press release from Washington states that as of February 1, 2013, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin collecting a new USCIS Immigrant Fee of $165 from foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the U.S.

USCIS has worked closely with the Department of State (DOS) to implement the new fee which allows USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas in the U.S. after immigrant visa holders receive their visa packages from DOS. This includes staff time to handle, file and maintain the immigrant visa package, and the cost of producing and delivering the permanent resident card.

In order to simplify and centralize the payment process, applicants will pay online through the USCIS website after they receive their visa package from DOS and before they depart for the U.S. DOS will provide applicants with specific information on how to submit payment when they attend their consular interview. The new fee is in addition to fees charged by DOS associated with an individual’s immigrant visa application.

USCIS processes approximately 36,000 immigrant visa packages each month. Prospective adoptive parents whose child will enter the U.S. under the Orphan or Hague processes are exempt from the new fee.

For more information about the National Interest Waiver Visa classification, please feel free to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at the NPZ Law Group at 201-670-0006 (x100) or by e-mailing us at info@visaserve.com