Immigration Fees Set to Rise, on Lower Demand

The nation's immigration chief is proposing several fee increases for green cards and visas in an effort to plug a revenue shortfall at his agency, caused in part by a decline in applications.

Among those who would be affected are U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents who are seeking to bring immediate relatives into the country. About 650,000 of these applications were filed in 2009. The proposed increase for these applications, to $420 from $355, is substantial in percentage terms—18%—but an increase of $65 is unlikely to deter many people, given the application's purpose.

The proposed increases don't change the cost of applying to become a U.S. citizen—$675. That fee went up 69% three years ago. - Immigration Fees Set to Rise

Green cards and other immigration benefits face fee hikes Los Angeles Times
Immigration officials seek hike in application fees MiamiHerald.com
New York Times - The Associated Press - San Jose Mercury News