Effective March 15, 2023, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is removing the biometrics submission requirement and $85 fee requirement for petitioners filing Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor. Petitioners no longer need to submit the fee for biometrics services with their Form I-526E.

USCIS has determined that widespread biometrics collection is not necessary in connection with the filing of Form I-526E for all regional center investor petitioners in order to confirm compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act. However, USCIS may request the submission of biometrics if necessary.

Since 2022, USCIS has received about 980 Form I-526E petitions filed with the biometrics fee. They will refund these fees in the coming weeks. Petitioners do not need to contact USCIS to request a refund.

This article was authored by Diana Prak, Senior Immigration Specialist at Greenberg Traurig.