Work permits for Asylum Applicants have been extended to two years, USCIS has increased fees for many immigration applications

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased the validity period for initial or renewal Employment Authorization for asylum applicants from one year to two years. This new rule will apply to all (c)(8)-based applications that are pending as of October 5th, 2016 and all such applications filed on or after October 5th, 2016.

USCIS will increase many immigration filing fees at an average of 21%. Starting from December 23, 2016, I–485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status will increase from $985 to $1140, I–129/129CW Petition for a Non immigrant worker will increase from $325 to $460, I-130 Petition for Alien Relative from $420 to $535, I–765 Application for Employment Authorization from $380 to $410, N–400 Application for Naturalization from $595 to $640. The complete fee increases can be obtained at https://www.uscis.gov/forms/our-fees.