Work Permits and August 25, 2020

Starting on this date, any person applying for an initial or renewal employment authorization or work permit with USCIS based on a pending asylum application or under the c8 category needs to (1) pay a biometrics fee, (2) use the new form or edition, and (3) wait for 365 days before they file an application for a work permit (for initial applications).

This is in accordance with the final rule issued by DHS modifying the rules on asylum, interviews and work authorizations based on a pending asylum application.

Rules and guidelines keep on changing under the Trump administration. Failure to follow these rules could spell unnecessary delays on any case. It is best to consult an immigration lawyer or expert so your application or case is handled properly.

Call our office if you have any questions and we would gladly extend any help we can give.


A partir de esta fecha, cualquier persona que solicite una autorización de empleo inicial o de renovación o un permiso de trabajo con USCIS basado en una solicitud de asilo pendiente o bajo la categoría c8 debe (1) pagar una tarifa biométrica, (2) usar el nuevo formulario o edición y (3) esperar 365 días antes de presentar una solicitud de permiso de trabajo (para solicitudes iniciales).

Esto está de acuerdo con la regla final emitida por DHS que modifica las reglas sobre asilo, entrevistas y autorizaciones de trabajo basadas en una solicitud de asilo pendiente.

Las reglas y pautas siguen cambiando bajo la administración Trump. El incumplimiento de estas reglas podría significar retrasos innecesarios en cualquier caso. Es mejor consultar a un abogado o experto en inmigración para que su solicitud o caso se maneje adecuadamente.

Llame a nuestra oficina si tiene alguna pregunta y con gusto le brindaremos cualquier ayuda que podamos brindarle.

USCIS Fee Increase

On July 31, 2020, USCIS posted for public inspection an advanced copy of a final rule that significantly alters the USCIS fee schedule by adjusting fees by a weighted average increase of 20 percent, adding new fees, establishing multiple fees for nonimmigrant worker petitions, and limiting the number of beneficiaries for certain forms.

The rule also removes certain fee exemptions, changes fee waiver requirements, alters premium processing time limits, and modifies certain intercountry adoption processing. The rule will be published in the Federal Register on August 3, 2020, and will be effective 60 days from the date of publication (October 2, 2020).

Significant changes include a $50 filing fee for asylum applications. There was no previous fee.

I601A Waiver Applications would now cost $960 (previous fee: $630) excluding biometrics fees.

N400 or citizenship applications would cost $1,170 (previous fee: $640) excluding biometrics fees. This is an increase of 83%.

This is the second time that USCIS has increased or changed their fees under the Trump administration.