Processing Fees

• Nonimmigrant Classifications (Temporary Work Authorization)

  As of April 30, 2004, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revised the fee structure for immigration benefits. A list of the new fee schedule can be found here.

  The required filing fee for H-1B nonimmigrant petitions (Form I-129) is $185. The university will pay this fee for H-1B petitions. It is up to the department's discretion whether it will pay the fee on behalf of the employee seeking TN status. For a TN visa, the filing fee includes payment of $50 (TN fee) plus $6 (entry document fee) at the port of entry into the U.S.

  The required filing fee for accompanying nonimmigrant dependents (Form I-539) is $195. This includes one dependent or several dependents. It is left to the department's discretion whether it will pay this fee on behalf of the employee's family.

  Note: If the employee's dependents are abroad when the nonimmigrant petition is filed, no dependent filing fee is required.

• Immigrant Classifications (Employment-based Permanent Residency)

  There is no filing fee associated with the preliminary Alien Employment Certification Application (ETA 750) filed with the Department of Labor as the first step in obtaining permanent residency via the labor certification process.

  The required filing fee for the Immigration Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) is $190. Payment of fees associated with the filing of the Form I-140 and the Application for Adjustment of Status to Permanent Residence (Form I-485) is the responsibility of the employee. The department may choose to reimburse the employee. There is no additional filing fee for dependents.

• Premium Processing (Only available for H-1B petitions)

  Premium Processing is an optional service provided by the USCIS that is available for H-1B applicants only. For the additional fee of $1,000, the USCIS will process petitions in 15 calendar days as opposed to regular processing (which normally takes between 60 to 120 days). It is left to departmental discretion whether the department or the employee pays this fee, unless the department imposes a start date that would necessitate Premium Processing (then the department must pay the fee).