• Applicants will be able to indicate their request for reduced fee on the N-400, rather than
on the separate I-942 form, although anyone requesting the reduced naturalization fee
must file their N-400 on paper rather than online;
• USCIS is consolidating biometrics fees as part of the general application fee for most
forms, so starting April 1, 2024 there will no longer be a separate $85 biometrics fee
(the exceptions are TPS and EOIR filings, which will continue to have a separate
biometrics fee, reduced from $85 to $30).
Any application, petition, or request postmarked on or after April 1, 2024 must include
payment of the fees established by this final rule and use updated forms effective April 1, 2024
(note there will be a grace period to use the older version of most forms until June 3, 2024—
new forms that will not have a grace period include a few employment-based forms and
orphan petition forms I-600 and I-600A). Until April 1, 2024, applicants should continue to file
applications and request fee waivers under existing fees and fee waiver policy.
However, it may be beneficial for some applicants to delay filing UNTIL April 1, 2024, to
take advantage of some of the positive changes in the new fee rule.
Who might want to prioritize filing their applications BEFORE
April 1, 2024?
• Family-based and employment-based adjustment applicants. Beginning April 1,
2024, adjustment applicants will have to pay separate application fees to request work
permission (I-765) and travel permission (I-131), although the I-765 fee will be half price
for those applying based on a pending adjustment. Presently, adjustment applicants may
file I-765 and I-131 at no cost, either at the same time as their I-485 filing or afterwards,
with a copy of their I-485 receipt notice.
Who might want to WAIT until April 1, 2024 to file?
• Humanitarian applicants, like T/U/VAWA/SIJ, because under the new fee rule these
applicants will be exempt from paying the application fee on all petitions and application
forms through adjustment of status whereas currently, such individuals must seek a fee
waiver in order to avoid having to pay the fee.
• Naturalization applicants with income between 200% and 400% of the FPG. Starting
April 1, 2024 these applicants will also be eligible for the reduced (half price)
naturalization fee. Currently, such applicants make too much to qualify for a fee waiver
(must have income at or below 150% FPG) or reduced fee (must have income at or
below 200% FPG) so they must pay the full naturalization fee.
• Green card renewal applicants. On April 1, 2024, the I-90 green card renewal fee will
decrease, from $540 (with biometrics) to $415 if filed online or $465 if paper filed.