On January 30, 2024 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced adjustments to filing fees for certain immigration requests including Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization. The I-765 is used by both F-1 and J-1 international students for various employment benefits such as Optional Practical Training and J-2 dependent employment authorization.
What is the change?
The finalized fee adjustment is as follows:
| Filing Type | Current Fee | New Fee | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-filed | $410 | $520 | +27% |
| Online filed | $410 | $470 | +14.5% |
Why are the fees different by filing type?
USCIS has stated that because filing online through a myUSCIS account provides cost savings to the agency, they are able to offer lower filing fees for online applications.
When will these changes take effect?
The new fees will go into effect on April 1, 2024. Any I-765 postmarked on or after this date must include payment at the new fee rate.