The Immigration and Naturalization Service charges fees for the filing of most immigration applications and petitions. Unfortunately, in order to keep up with increasing costs, mounting caseloads, and budget cuts, filing fees have increased periodically over the years. As of October 13, 1998, some of the new fees for filing an application or petition with the Immigration and Naturalization Service, or INS (I-N-S), are as follows: $100 (one hundred dollars) to file an application for employment authorization, $225 (two hundred and twenty-five dollars) to file an application for naturalization or U.S. citizenship, $110 (one hundred and ten dollars) for an employer to petition for an alien to work in the U.S. temporarily, $220 (two hundred and twenty dollars) to apply for permanent residence status and receive a green card, $110 (one hundred and ten dollars) for a green card renewal or replacement, and $120 (one hundred and twenty dollars) to apply for an extension or a change in non-immigrant status. Failure to file forms with the correct fee will result in your application or petition being returned to you and additional delays in processing your request. The INS is aware that some individuals may be unable to pay the required filing fee. As a result, the INS has the discretion to waive any filing fee if you can prove that you meet the INS definition of having an “inability to pay” the filing fee. Contact the INS to find which fees may be waived and the process you must follow to request such a waiver.
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