Some people applying for immigration benefits will have to pay hundreds of dollars more in additional fees because of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a law passed in July 2025.
USCIS began collecting the new fees for applications and started rejecting any filings that did not have the correct amounts on August 21, 2025. Some of those fees will increase again on January 1, 2026.
Most of these new fees cannot be waived, even for low-income applicants. If you pay a fee incorrectly, your application will be denied.
This information is not a substitute for legal advice from a qualified attorney or accredited representative. The content was last updated November 2025.
Here’s what you need to know about higher immigration fees
- New fees apply to asylum, Temporary Protected Status, parole, Employment Authorization Document and Special Immigrant Juvenile petitions.
- No fee waivers are allowed under the new law.
- USCIS will reject any forms that do not have the appropriate fees.
When and how do I pay any of these fees?
If the fee is incorrect, your application will be rejected. You may pay USCIS fees as follows:
- Credit or debit card: Use Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions).
- ACH bank transfer: Use Form G-1650 (Authorization for ACH Transactions).
Paper check, cashier’s check or money order are no longer accepted for most filings, except in limited circumstances where you qualify for an exemption. USCIS will accept paper checks or money orders only if you submit Form G-1651 and USCIS grants you an exemption.
Also Read: How to Open a U.S. Bank Account Without a SSN
I am ready to submit my application — what are my next steps?
- Check the latest fee chart on the USCIS website before filing. Click “USCIS fee schedule” at the bottom of the page or use the drop-down menu to check the fee for your particular form.
- Include the exact amount listed for your form and category.
- Keep a copy of your payment receipt or online confirmation.
- Consult legal aid if you are unsure whether the new fees apply to your case.
What are the new USCIS immigration fees?
Asylum Application Fee Form I-589
- Amount: $100 for new asylum filings. This fee increases to $102 on January 1, 2025.
- Who pays: Anyone filing a new asylum application since July 22, 2025.
- Waiver: Not available.
This marks the first time in U.S. history that asylum seekers must pay a filing fee for protection claims.
The asylum fee is charged per asylum application (Form I-589), not per person. The principal applicant can generally include their immediate family members on the same Form I-589, as long as they are the applicant’s spouse or unmarried children under 21 years old, and all are physically present in the United States.
Annual Asylum Fee (AAF)
This fee requirement is currently on pause.
- Amount: $100 per year.
- Who pays: Anyone who has an asylum application still pending.
- Waiver: Not available.
It’s important to note that in October 2025, advocates raised a lawsuit that successfully paused the fee requirement for new and pending asylum applications. The decision, while temporary, means that no asylum seekers are currently required to pay the annual fee.
Also Read: Court Halts Trump’s $100 Asylum Fee — For Now
Annual Asylum fees can only be paid online through USCIS. Applicants must pay Annual Asylum fees yearly for as long as their asylum case remains unresolved.
Also Read: Annual Asylum Fee Requires $100 Payments
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Fees Form I-765
In July, USCIS introduced fees for people applying for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) under asylum, parole, or TPS programs. Now, those fees are increasing again. Fee waivers are not available.
Prior to January 1, 2026, applicants for a work permit had to pay:
- $550 for an initial EAD application fee
- $275 for a renewal application fee
Applicants sent in on or after January 1, 2026 must pay the increased fee:
- $560 for an initial EAD application
- $280 for a renewal application fee
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Application Fee
Form I-821
- Amount: $500 (plus $30 for biometrics). Fee increases to $510 after January 1, 2026.
- Who pays: First-time TPS applicants
- Waiver: Only available for the $30 biometrics fee
You can ask for a fee waiver if you meet certain conditions. Learn more about the fee waiver Form I-821.
Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Petition Form I-360
- Amount: $250
- Who pays: Minors applying for SIJ classification
- Waiver: Not available
