While INS Commissioner Doris Meissner continues to pledge that the INS will not raise fees until the agency has met specific customer service goals, the agency has, nevertheless, proceeded to issue proposed fee increases. The agency claims that it is currently losing close to a $1 million a day because fees don't offset the cost of providing services. The agency claims that the only way to make a real dent in service problems is to raise fees. 

The INS plans to raise 30 of the 40 fees it charges for various applications. The fees are apparently based on recommendations from a private management consulting firm retained by the INS. The public has 60 days from January 12, 1998 to issue comments.

List of Proposed INS Application and Petition Fee Increases:

Form: I-17

Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Students

Current Fee: $140

Proposed Fee: $200

For school approval, except in the case of a school or school system owned or operated as a public educational institution or system by the United States or a state or political subdivision thereof.

Form: I-90

Application to Replace Alien Registration Card ("Green Card")

Current Fee: $75

Proposed Fee: $110

For Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551) in lieu of an obsolete card or in lieu of one

lost, mutilated or destroyed, or in a changed name.

Form: I-102

Application for Replacement/Initial Non-immigrant Arrival-Departure Document (I-94)

Current Fee: $65

Proposed Fee: $85

For replacement of lost, mutilated, or destroyed I-94 (e.g., required for B-1, B-2 visa holders).

Form: I-129/

I-129H

I-129L

Petitions for Nonimmigrant Workers

Current Fee: $75 Base Fee

Proposed Fee: $110

If a petition with unnamed beneficiaries, base fee per petition. If petition with named beneficiaries, base fee plus additional fee if requesting consulate or port-of-entry notification for visa issuance or admission, requesting a change of status or extension of stay, or for including dependents.

129H: To classify as temporary worker.

129L: To employ intracompany transferee.

Form: I-129F

Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

Current Fee: $75

Proposed Fee: $95

To classify nonimmigrant as fiancé(e).

Form: I-130

Petition for Alien Relative

Current Fee: $80

Proposed Fee: $110

To classify status of alien relative for issuance of immigrant visa

Form: I-131

Application for Travel Document

Current Fee: $70

Proposed Fee: $95

For issuance of reentry permit or parole.

Form: I-140

Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Current Fee: $75

Proposed Fee: $115

To classify status on the basis of profession or occupation.

Form: I-191

Application for Advance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile

Current Fee: $90

Proposed Fee: $170

For advance permission for otherwise inadmissible applicants to reenter the United States.

Form: I-192

Application for Advance Permission to Enter As a Nonimmigrant

Current Fee: $90

Proposed Fee: $170

For discretionary relief of inadmissible applicants, except in an emergency case and/or where approval benefits the U.S. government.

Form: I-193

Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa

Current Fee: $95

Proposed Fee: $170

Request for waiver of passport or visa for persons applying for entry to the U.S. (e.g. expired).

Form: I-212

Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal

Current Fee: $95

Proposed Fee: $170

Applicant was removed from the United States and applies for reentry.

Form: I-485

Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

Current Fee: $130

Proposed Fee: $220

For permanent resident status and issuance of I-551 ("Green Card")

Form: I-526

Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur

Current Fee: $155

Proposed Fee: $350

Application for Investor Visa.

Form: I-539

Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

Current Fee: $75

Proposed Fee: $120

Change of status within nonimmigrant categories.

Form: I-600

I-600A

Petition to Classify Orphan As an Immediate Relative

Current Fee: $155

Proposed Fee: $405

Application for orphans. I-600A: for advance processing.

Form: I-601

Application for Waiver on Grounds of Excludability

Current Fee: $95

Proposed Fee: $170

For waiver of ground of excludability for inadmissible applicants.

Form: I-612

Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement of Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, As Amended

Current Fee: $95

Proposed Fee: $170

Waiver of two-year residence requirement for exchange visitors.

Form: I-751

Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence

Current Fee: $80

Proposed Fee: $125

To make permanent the 2-year conditional period of residence based on marriage to a U.S. citizen.

Form: I-765

Application for Employment Authorization

Current Fee: $70

Proposed Fee: $100

Applicant for work permit.

Form: I-817

Application for Voluntary Departure Under the Family Unity Act

Current Fee: $80

Proposed Fee: $120

Applicant of family members for voluntary departure.

Form: I-824

Action on an Approved Application or Petition

Current Fee: $30

Proposed Fee: $120

Request for additional action on approved petition.

Form: I-829

Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Residence

Current Fee: $90

Proposed Fee: $345

Self-explanatory

Form: N-400

Application for Naturalization

Current Fee: $95

Proposed Fee: $225

Self-explanatory

Form: N-565

Application for Replacement of Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate

Current Fee: $65

Proposed Fee: $135

Self-explanatory

Form: N-600

Application for Certificate of Citizenship

Current Fee: $100

Proposed Fee: $160

Self-explanatory

Form: Application for Certificate of Citizenship in Behalf of an Adopted Child

Current Fee: $80

Proposed Fee: $125

Self-explanatory

Last month, we reported that the State Department is planning to raise its fees as well. The following new fees took effect on February 1, 1998:

Passports/Citizenship

Fee to Execute a Passport Application:

Old - $10.00 New - $15.00

First-time Passport Issuance:

Old - $55.00 New - $45.00

(10 year validity)

Renewals:

Old - $55.00 New - $40.00

Five-year Passport for Minors:

Old - $40.00 New - $25.00

New Fee for Citizenship Adjudication for Previously Undocumented Passport

Applications Born Overseas:

Old - $0.00 New - $100.00

Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States:

Old - $10.00 New - $40.00

Documentary Services for American Citizen 

Notarial Services: 

Old - $10.00 New - $55.00

Visas 

NIV/MRV Application Fee:

Old - $20.00 New - $45.00

Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee:

Old - $200.00 New - $260.00