The cost of applying for certain US immigration benefits has just skyrocketed. According to a Federal Register notice published on July 22, 2025, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced steep new fees under the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill, impacting asylum seekers, humanitarian parole applicants, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) petitions.

These new charges, effective August 21, 2025, come on top of existing filing fees, and USCIS has made it clear: applications without the updated payments will be rejected.

This move is part of a larger immigration crackdown under Donald Trump’s second term, marking one of the most significant fee increases in recent years.

What’s Changing in US Immigration Fees?

The updated fee structure introduces mandatory additional charges for several humanitarian and special immigration categories, many of which cannot be waived:

• Asylum Applications (Form I-589):
  • $100 initial filing fee
  • $100 annual charge while the case remains pending
• Work Permits for Asylum Seekers (Form I-765, Category (c)(8)):
  • $550 for the first card
  • $275 per renewal
  • Added to the existing $470–$520 filing fee, this represents an overall 50% hike
• Parole-Based Work Permits:
  • $550 for initial issuance
  • $275 for renewal
  • Total costs for many categories will now exceed $1,020–$1,070, reflecting a 50% increase
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) (Form I-821):
  • New $500 fee, plus the existing $50 filing and $30 biometrics fee
  • Total cost: $580 — over 600% higher than before
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Petitions (Form I-360):
  • $250 fee, where none previously existed

USCIS has also confirmed that these fees will automatically increase annually to account for inflation.

Who Will Feel the Impact?

For Indian applicants, the fee hike will primarily affect those in humanitarian or special immigration categories:

• Asylum seekers will now face added costs throughout their case.
• Individuals on humanitarian parole will pay significantly more for work permits.
• Indian-origin children qualifying under SIJ protections will incur a $250 charge.
• If India were ever designated for TPS, applicants would have to pay the $500 surcharge.

Who Is NOT Affected by the Fee Increase?

Most Indian professionals and students are outside the scope of these changes:

• H-1B, L-1, O-1 visa holders do not require Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
• F-1 students on OPT and STEM OPT will continue to pay the standard EAD fee without the $550 add-on.
• Family and employment-based Green Card applicants remain unaffected, as adjustment of status, EADs, and related processes are not included in the H.R. 1 fee hike.

Other Immigration Fee Changes in 2025

This isn’t the only increase hitting applicants this year. Key updates include:

• B1/B2 Visitor Visa Fees: Increased from $185 to $245 — the first rise in over a decade.
• Immigration Bonds: Minimum amounts under “Catch and Release” surged from $1,500 to $5,000.
• General USCIS Fee Adjustments: Higher costs for H-1B extensions, family petitions, adjustment of status, and naturalization applications.

Part of a Wider Immigration Crackdown

These fee hikes are part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy under the Trump administration, which is:

• Reviewing the records of 55 million current US visa holders for possible violations.
• Pausing certain work visas and reviving the Visa Integrity Fee.
• Raising costs across the board to discourage unlawful entry and overstays.

For many, these changes represent higher financial hurdles in an already challenging immigration process.

Key Takeaway

If you are planning to apply for asylum, TPS, parole, or SIJ status in the US, prepare for significant cost increases starting August 21, 2025. Staying informed about these changes is crucial to avoid rejections and plan your immigration budget effectively.