U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will make a nearly 15% increase in the priority processing fee for the Form I-129, Nonimmigrant Worker Petition and Form I-140, Immigrant Alien Worker Petition.
The cost of priority processing of Forms I-129 and I-140 will increase from $1,225 to $1,410. This represents an increase of 14.92%.
USCIS says the funds generated by the fee increase will be used to hire more employees and invest in information technology systems in order to provide superior processing service with fewer interruptions. This will allow it to adjudicate more petitions and maintain effective service for petitioners.
According to USCIS, the increase is being made in compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act and represents the percentage change in inflation since the fee was last increased in 2010.
The increase goes into effect on October 1, 2018.
What is priority processing?
It is an optional service currently authorized for certain applicants filing Forms I-129 or I-140.
The system allows petitioners to request expedited - 15-day - processing of certain applications for employment-based immigration benefits if they pay an additional fee.
The priority processing fee is payable in addition to the basic filing fee and any other applicable fees, which cannot be waived.
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