Overview of 2026 USCIS Fee Increases
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced inflation-adjusted fee increases for multiple immigration applications, effective January 1, 2026. These changes, mandated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will affect thousands of applicants seeking asylum protection, employment authorization, and temporary protected status.
Key Takeaway: Applications postmarked without proper filing fees after January 1, 2026, will be rejected. Verify current fee amounts before submitting any immigration forms to avoid processing delays.
New Immigration Fee Schedule for 2026
Asylum Application Fees
- Annual Asylum Fee (Form I-589): Increases from $100 to $102
- Initial Asylum Fee: Remains at $100 (unchanged)
- Initial Asylum EAD: $550 to $560
- Renewal/Extension Asylum EAD: Stays at $275 (unchanged)
Employment Authorization Documents (EAD)
Employment authorization fees will see modest increases across several categories:
- Initial Parole EAD: $550 to $560
- Renewal/Extension Parole EAD: $275 to $280
- Re-parole EAD (Form I-131, Part 9): $275 to $280
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Fees
- TPS Application (Form I-821): $500 to $510
- Initial TPS EAD: $550 to $560
- Renewal/Extension TPS EAD: $275 to $280
Special Immigrant Fees
- Special Immigrant Juvenile Fee (Form I-360): Remains at $250 (unchanged)
Understanding the Fee Adjustment Policy
USCIS operates as a fee-funded agency within the Department of Homeland Security. The agency adjusts filing fees annually to account for inflation and operational costs. According to USCIS officials, these inflationary adjustments will continue each fiscal year to maintain sustainable operations.
The immigration parole fee adjustment will be addressed in a separate Federal Register notice, with specific details forthcoming.
Impact on Immigrant Communities
Immigration attorney Abhinav Tripathi emphasizes that while these increases appear modest in percentage terms, they significantly impact vulnerable populations. Many asylum seekers and parole applicants arrive in the United States with limited financial resources, making even small fee increases challenging.
“A $10 or $20 rise may appear modest, yet for someone choosing between filing a form or paying rent, it can alter timing and access,” Tripathi explained. The increases particularly affect communities with minimal financial stability who are attempting to secure work authorization and rebuild their lives.
Recent Changes to USCIS Operations
The 2026 fee increases occur alongside broader policy shifts at USCIS under the current administration:
Enhanced Vetting Procedures
- Implementation of new screening measures
- Stricter background check requirements
- Reinstatement of neighborhood and workplace verification for naturalization applicants
Policy Changes
- Refugee admissions capped at 7,500 for fiscal year 2026
- Altered citizenship and admission priorities
- Creation of armed USCIS special agents with arrest and warrant execution authority
- Termination of automatic employment authorization document extensions
EB-5 Visa Fee Rollback
Following a Colorado federal court ruling, USCIS is reversing significant EB-5 immigrant investor visa fee increases:
- Form I-526: Reduced from $11,000+ to $3,675
- Residency Condition Removal: Reduced from $9,500+ to $3,750
- Regional Center Applications: Reduced from $48,000 to $17,795
This rollback provides substantial relief for immigrant investors seeking permanent residency through job-creating business investments.
What Applicants Need to Know
Important Deadlines
The new fee structure takes effect January 1, 2026. Any application postmarked on or after this date must include the updated fee amount. Applications with incorrect fees will be rejected, causing processing delays.
Best Practices for Filing
- Verify Current Fees: Always check the USCIS website for the most current fee schedule before submitting applications
- Calculate Total Costs: Account for all applicable fees if filing multiple forms simultaneously
- Consider Timing: Applications postmarked before January 1, 2026, can use current fee amounts
- Use Proper Payment Methods: Follow USCIS guidelines for acceptable payment forms
- Keep Documentation: Retain copies of payment confirmation and submission receipts
Fee Waiver Options
Applicants experiencing financial hardship may qualify for fee waivers or reduced fees for certain applications. Check USCIS Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) to determine eligibility and required documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will immigration parole fees increase? USCIS has indicated that parole fee adjustments will be announced in a future Federal Register notice with specific details on inflationary adjustments.
Are citizenship application fees changing? The January 2026 notice specifically addresses asylum, TPS, and employment authorization fees. Naturalization fee changes have not been announced in this update.
What happens if I submit the wrong fee amount? Applications with incorrect fees will be rejected. You’ll need to resubmit with the proper amount, causing processing delays.
Do these fees apply to pending applications? No. Fee requirements are based on the postmark date of your application submission.
Conclusion
The 2026 USCIS fee increases represent routine inflationary adjustments affecting asylum seekers, TPS holders, and employment authorization applicants. While individual increases range from $2 to $10, they add financial burden to populations already facing economic challenges.
Prospective applicants should verify current fee amounts before submission and consider timing their applications strategically around the January 1, 2026, effective date. For those experiencing financial hardship, fee waiver options may be available.
Stay informed about immigration policy changes by monitoring USCIS announcements and consulting with qualified immigration attorneys when necessary.
