By Brian Taylor Goldstein, Esq.
When we woke up Christmas morning, we discovered that the Grinch at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) had left two surprises in our stockings:
1) NEW FILING FEES
Effective as of December 24, 2016, the filing fee for all O and P petitions is now $460. All petitions postmarked or received by USCIS on December 23, 2016 or later must include the new fee or the petitions will be rejected.
2) NEW FORMS
Effective as of December 24, 2016, USCIS updated many forms, including Form I-129—the form used for O and P petitions. The new edition of Form I-129 is marked “12/31/16”. USCIS will continue to accept old forms until February 21, 2017, but all petitions postmarked or received by USCIS on February 21, 2017 or later must have the 12/23/16 edition of Form I-129 the petitions will be rejected.
- Read the new Form I-129 carefully. When USCIS updates forms, it rarely asks for new information, but often re-numbers and moves around the old blanks and questions for no apparent reason.
- Because USCIS can amend forms without notice, ALWAYS download a fresh form directly from the USCIS website. www.uscis.gov/forms. NEVER use an old form, a form you used the “last time”, or a form you obtain from any other source.
The first one we knew was coming, but the second was a complete surprise to everyone!
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THE OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER:
THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE!
The purpose of this blog is to provide general advice and guidance, not legal advice. Please consult with an attorney familiar with your specific circumstances, facts, challenges, medications, psychiatric disorders, past-lives, karmic debt, and anything else that may impact your situation before drawing any conclusions, deciding upon a course of action, sending a nasty email, filing a lawsuit, or doing anything rash!