US implements new immigration fees for asylum seekers, work permits

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new schedule of fees for several immigration services, following the enactment of the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill.

These changes, which come into effect from July 22, 2025, were outlined in a Federal Register Notice dated July 18, 2025.

According to the notice, any application submitted on or after July 22 must include the revised fees. USCIS has also stated that from August 21, 2025, it will no longer accept submissions that do not comply with the newly mandated H.R. 1 fee structure.

One of the significant revisions includes the introduction of a $100 charge for those filing Form I-589, which is used for Asylum and Withholding of Removal applications.

Additionally, applicants with pending asylum requests will now be required to pay an Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) of $100 online for each year their application remains undecided.

Changes also apply to the Form I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The updated fees are as follows:

• $550 for new applications
• $275 for renewals or extensions
• $275 for applicants who have been granted re-parole through Form I-131

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A new $250 fee has been introduced for Form I-360 applications submitted under the Special Immigrant Juvenile category. Also, the cost of registering for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) using Form I-821 has been raised from $50 to $500.

USCIS emphasized that these new charges are separate from the existing fee rule and are not eligible for waivers, even if the applicant would normally qualify for one.

“Any alien who filed or files a Form I-589 after October 1, 2024, that remains pending with USCIS for 365 days must pay the AAF as of the one-year anniversary of his or her filing date and each year thereafter that the application remains pending on such day of the calendar year,” the notice read.

The updated policy also limits the validity of work permits in certain categories. For parolees, EADs will be issued for either one year or the duration of parole—whichever is shorter. TPS holders will receive work permits valid for one year or the length of their protected status, depending on which is shorter.

USCIS also hinted at upcoming changes to fees for additional forms such as Form I-131 (Travel Documents) and Form I-102 (Replacement for Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document), with announcements to be made in due course.