I think this has already been posted somehwere in VJ, but I thought we could use a copy here....

Source

PHOENIX (Reuters) - Immigrants applying to become citizens or permanent residents of the United States may have to pay higher application fees, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

The fee increases, which are subject to a review process, are part of a drive by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to overhaul its strained processing system, which leaves many legal immigrants waiting months or years for a green card or naturalization as U.S. citizens.

The fee increases would provide "appropriate funding to meet customer service needs and national security requirements, and (modernize) an outdated business structure," the agency said.

Under the proposed increases, citizenship applications would cost $595, up from $330, while permanent residency applications would jump to $905 from $325.

If approved, these fees would be valid for a two-year period starting in October.

Pro-immigration lobbyists were critical of plans to boost charges, which they said won't guarantee improve service.

"With the level of service showing no signs of improvement, the announcement of yet another round of fee increases ... is dispiriting," said Douglas Rivlin, spokesman for the Washington-based National Immigration Forum lobbying group.

"The national interest is served when we facilitate the citizenship and assimilation of immigrants into fully participating members of society," he added. "This substantial fee increase moves us in the wrong direction."

YEA See I read up on that.... and knew they would hike up the fees... They have done this in the past. I have seen this trend since I have been in the US I was told the US test would be $800 after Jan 23....(when they put into place all the new laws and fees for immigration)
Sorry for people who missed out... and advise people having to go throu this in the future...to save up! It won't get any lower only higher... (I remember in 97 when I came to the US USC app was only $90, I paid $400...see the inflation?)

Also I am wondering which residency apps going up ? All of them? And when? I have not been following the residency fees for a while now...(o snaps I need to rush and FILE)

LOL....When my family immigrated here in the 70's, the entire process (not including citizenship) took only 2.5 months. My dad called my aunt, said he wanted to come, she filed, and POOF, we were here.

Darn,do you have a time machine JP?
There was a thread on the USC forum about 'is it worth it to file for USC?' I would say YES... ASAP before it gets to be more then a month's pay.

I wish!!!

ouchie. glad we got nessa's aos filed already

I thought they were doing away with other fees though so in total the increase really isn't that much.

Wow that's a huge increase. I don't mind a small increase (like $50 more) if it means faster processing... but this is talking about more than doubling the fees, which were just increased recently. Ouch!

And the government wonders why there is so much friggin' illegal immigration....NO ONE CAN AFFORD IT!!!![size="3"][/size]