The U.S. State Department has released a detailed list of its new visa fees, which went into effect on April 13. Family petitioners who have not yet paid the original higher fees ($492), issued by the National Visa Center (NVC) should be receiving new fee bills with the lower fee amount ($318). However, if the higher fee has already been paid, the NVC will not be refunding the difference:

  Type of Visa                                                 Old fee                                               New fee

B-1/B-2,C                                                      $140                                                    $160

D,F,J,I                                                            $140                                                     $160

H,L,O,P,Q,R                                                  $150                                                    $190

E-1/E-2                                                          $390                                                    $270

K-1                                                                 $350                                                     $240

Family Immigrant Visas                            $330                                                     $230 = $318 (w/$88 I-864 fee)

Employment Immigrant Visas                 $720                                                     $405

DV Lottery                                                     $380                                                     $275

New expedited process for correction of cases denied due To USCIS error

The USCIS has announced the launching of an expedited processing for cases mistakenly denied due the USCIS error, under the following circumstances:

1) A case is denied because the USCIS said the applicant failed to respond to a written request. Applicants are covered if the applicant did respond by the expiration date, if the USCIS system indicates that a request was never sent to the applicant or attorney, or if the USCIS mistakenly sent the request to the applicant's previous or incorrect address despite the applicant properly submitting a Change of Address (AR-11).

2) A case is denied because the USCIS denial says the applicant failed to attend his or her Biometrics appointment. The applicant is covered if the applicant did attend, if the applicant filed a timely request to reschedule the appointment, if the USCIS system indicates that the USCIS Biometrics appointment notice was never sent to the applicant or the attorney, or if the USCIS mistakenly sent the notice to the applicant's previous or incorrect address despite the applicant properly submitted a Change of Address (AR-11).

Applicants who have received case denials according to the above circumstances should call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283 and make a special request that an "expedited service request" be created to correct the USCIS mistake. Applicants must be prepared to provide documentary evidence that demonstrates the USCIS was at fault.

IMMIGRATION Q&A

Question: I came to the U.S. on a work visa but my I-94 card expired many years ago. Last year I met a wonderful American guy and we just got married. Now, I want to change to my husband's last name. I already got my new passport from my country with my married name on it. But the social security office said that I first have to change it with immigration. We need to file for my Green Card so I'd like to know if you can have immigration change my name and if my driver's license and social security card can have the married name. Is it a problem because my maiden name is on my I-94 card?

Answer: When marrying a U.S. citizen or resident, you can change your last name to your spouse's last name, or even hyphenate your last name with that of your partner's. The USCIS does not require that either your I-94 card or your passport (from your home country) has your married name. Your marriage certificate is legally sufficient to request the legal name change. Once the USCIS issues your work authorization card, we will send you to go back to the Social Security Administration office and have your Social Security card updated with your new name. Then you can take your new card, along with your work authorization card and residency receipts to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles in order to have your driver's license issued with your new married name. Finally, once you have completed the residency process (approximately 3 -4 months) your Green Card will be issued with your new married name. You can read more about marriage immigration by visiting our website at: www.ImmigrateToday.com

Contributions to this column are made by Attorney Caroly Pedersen, Esq. of the American Immigration Law Center – Call 954-382-5378