ON December 23, 2016, the filing fees for most petitions and applications filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will increase.

The current filing fee for an application for naturalization is $680. Effective December 23, 2016, the filing for this application will now be $725. Other commonly filed applications and petitions and their corresponding filing fees are as follows:

• Immigrant petition for an alien relative – from $420 to $535;

• Application to Renew the Permanent Resident Card – from $450 to $540 (fee includes the biometrics fee of $85.)

• Application for a work permit – from $380 to $410.

• Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence – from $590 to $680 (fee includes the biometrics fee of $85.)

• Application for Adjustment of Status – from $1070 to $1225 (fee includes the biometrics fee of $85.)

• Application for Travel Document – from $360 to $575.

• Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker – from $325 to $460.

• Fiance Petition – from $340 to $535.

Applications and petitions postmarked or filed on or after December 23, 2016 must include these new fees or the USCIS will reject your petition or application.

For those who wish to file their petitions or applications, they may want to file their petitions as soon as possible to avoid paying these fee increases.

* * *

Atty. Dennis E. Chua is a partner in The Law Firm of Chua Tinsay and Vega (CTV), a full service law firm with offices in San Francisco, San Diego and Manila. The information presented in this article is for general information only and is not, nor intended to be, formal legal advice nor the formation of an attorney-client relationship. Call or e-mail CTV for an in-person or phone consultation to discuss your particular situation and/or how their services may be retained at (415) 495-8088; (619) 955-6277; [email protected]. The CTV Attorneys will be at Max’s Restaurant in Vallejo on October 19, 2009 from 5pm to 7pm to hold a FREE legal clinic.