DHS To Increase Filing Fees Effective October 2, 2020

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that it will raise filing fees for visa benefits, which will result in a weighted average increase to filing fees of 20%.  DHS has justified this increase as necessary to cover current operational costs which they believe are “underfunded by about $1 billion per year”.    The new rule also provides for a $10 discount on filing fees for petitions submitted online, however this option is not available for all filings.

The fees included in the rule will apply to all petitions or requests postmarked on or after October 2, 2020.