Category: I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers

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USCIS Increases I-140 (Employment Based) Premium Processing fee to $2,805

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an increase in the I-140 premium processing fee, raising it to $2,805 for employment-based petitions. Learn more about Form I-140 , Green Card , and premium processing guidelines.”

The fee adjustment, effective Feb. 26, 2024, applies to Form I-907 filings postmarked on or after this date. Incorrect fees will result in rejection of the request.

As per USCIS , the fee change will go into effect on Feb. 26, 2024. If USCIS receives a Form I-907 postmarked on or after Feb. 26, 2024 with the incorrect filing fee, we will reject the Form I-907 and return the filing fee.

The Premium Processing fee adjustment for various case types:

  1. Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, TN-1, etc.):
    • Previous Fee: $2,500
    • New Fee: $2,805
  2. Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (H-2B or R-1 non-immigrant status)
    • Previous Fee: $1,500
    • New Fee: $1,685
  3. Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker:
    • Previous Fee: $2,500 (Employment-based (EB) classifications)
    • New Fee: $2,805 (Employment-based (EB) classifications)
  4. Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status:
    • Previous Fee: $1,750 (Various classifications)
    • New Fee: $1,965 (Various classifications)
  5. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization:
    • Previous Fee: $1,500 (Certain F-1 students with specific categories)
    • New Fee: $1,685 (Certain F-1 students with specific categories)
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USCIS Encourages Employment–Based Green Card Applicants to Submit I-693 (Medical Exams) before Sept 30, 2022

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is encouraging certain employment-based adjustment of status (green card) applicants with approved I-140 petitions to complete their medical examinations (I-693 Form) before the end of the fiscal year (FY) on September 30, 2022. Consular closures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a surplus of unused employment-based immigrant visas. According to USCIS, there are approximately double the usual number of immigrant visas available for FY 2022. USCIS stated that it remained committed to using “as many available employment-based visas as possible” before the end of FY 2022, though the agency indicated that its efforts had been stymied by missing or invalid medical exam filings.

Green card applicants must submit a valid Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, to establish that they are not inadmissible to the United States on public health grounds.

USCIS recommends the following:

  • For eligible employment-based applicants within the United States who have yet to file their green card applications, USCIS recommends including a valid Form I-693 at the time of filing.
  • For applicants in the United States with approved I-140 petitions and current priority dates, but who filed their green card applications without including a valid Form I-693, USCIS recommends visiting a civil surgeon to get a valid Form I-693 before USCIS sends the request. According to USCIS, applicants should not send their medical examinations to the agency until formally requested to do so. Form I-693 is valid for two years from the date that the civil surgeon signs the form.

USCIS is also working closely with the U.S. Department of State to process employment-based immigrant visas for applicants living outside the United States.

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I-944 (Declaration of Self Sufficiency) Discontinued from March 9, 2021

Note: As per USCIS info, Beginning from March 9, 2021, GC applicants should not be required to file Form i-944, Declaration of Self Sufficiency, or any evidence or documentation necessary on that form with their Form I-485, Adjustment of Status. Form I-944 has been discontinued.

Please go through I-944 Form USCIS Instruction for more detailed information on this newly added form in 2020.

According to USCIS

  • Form I-944, “Declaration of Self-Sufficiency” is used by an individual to demonstrate that he or she is not inadmissible based on the public charge ground (Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 212(a)(4)). In other words, the form is used by Green Card applicants to provide information about their financial situation.
  • If you file the form I-485, Adjustment of Status, you should submit Form I-944 to USCIS.
  • If you are exempt from the Public charge ground of inadmissibility as per criteria setup by USCIS, you do not need to file Form I-944.  
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