LATEST NEWS ALERT: Final Rule on Visa Fees Sets New Rates, Effective April 1, 2024 - (01/31/24)
Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published its final rule updating visa fees across several categories, along with a Frequently Asked Questions page summary. In response to comments submitted by many arts stakeholders, final fees are reduced from the initial amounts proposed by the Department of Homeland Security for nonprofits and certain small businesses with 25 or fewer employees, while overall, all arts petitioners will experience higher costs, increased petition preparation requirements, and lengthier timeframes for Premium Processing.
U.S. national arts stakeholders are currently reading through the lengthy final rule to collect details about the pertinent changes. More information will be shared as soon as further details are confirmed. Following is an initial overview:
Filing the Form I-129 to seek the O classification will have the following filing fee:
- $530 for U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations of any size
- $530 for filers with 25 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees, plus a $300 Asylum Program Fee, for a total fee of $830
- $1055 for all other filers, plus a $600 Asylum Program Fee, for a total fee of $1655
Filing the Form I-129 to seek the P classification will have the following filing fee:
- $510 for U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations of any size
- $510 for filers with 25 or fewer full-time-equivalent employees, plus a $300 Asylum Program Fee, for a total fee of $810
- $1015 for all other filers, plus a $600 Asylum Program Fee, for a total fee of $1615
There will be a maximum of 25 beneficiaries that can be included on a single petition for O-2, P-1, P-3, and P-S classifications. In other words, a large ensemble exceeding 25 beneficiaries will need to file multiple petitions, each with the relevant fee paid.
Premium Processing Service, which will increase to $2,805 beginning February 26, 2024, will change from 15 calendar days to 15 Federal business days for a response from USCIS.