New Immigration Application Fees: What Does It Mean For You?

Written By Nick Chan

Key Changes to be Aware Of:

H.R. 1 mandates specific new fees for several immigration forms and benefits. A portion of these fees will go to the general Treasury fund, and it’s important to note that these new fees are subject to annual increases based on inflation.

Who Is Affected?

New fees are being introduced for several common forms, including:

  • A new fee of $100 for those who file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal

    • Annual Asylum Fee of $100 (which must be paid online) for all those who have a pending Form I-589 for each calendar year their application remains pending. USCIS will issue personal notices when this fee is due.

  • A new fee for those who file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, for asylum, parolee, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) categories. The categories are (a)(4), (a)(12), (c)(8), (c)(11), (c)(19), and (c)(34).

    • For initial applications, $550; and

    • For renewal or extension applications, $275

    • There is one exception to these fees. If someone requests an Employment Authorization Document after USCIS approves a new period of parole by filing Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records, the fee will be the lower H.R. 1 fee of $275

  • A new Special Immigrant Juvenile fee of $250 for anyone who files Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, as a special immigrant juvenile; and

  • Increasing the maximum cost to register for TPS using Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, from $50 to $500.

Important Dates to Remember:

  • These new fees will be effective for all benefit requests postmarked on or after July 22, 2025.

  • Forms submitted without the proper fees after August 21, 2025, will be rejected by USCIS.

What You Need to Know:

It’s crucial to understand that these new H.R. 1 fees are in addition to existing USCIS fees. Furthermore, these specific H.R. 1 fees cannot be waived or reduced, even if you qualify for a fee waiver for other existing USCIS fees.

USCIS anticipates further announcements regarding other forms impacted by H.R. 1, such as Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) and Form I-102 (Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Record).

What Does This Mean for You?

The immigration landscape is constantly evolving, and fee changes like these can impact your case significantly. We strongly advise all clients to consult with our office regarding any upcoming filings to ensure you are submitting the correct fees and avoid potential delays or rejections.

For the most current and detailed information, please refer to the official USCIS website directly: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-fees-based-on-hr-1

Nick Chan