Beginning October 16, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will start applying the new cost for temporary stay permits, known as ‘parole’, which also serves as a travel permit for certain immigrants.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice in the Federal Register to implement the fee approved by Congress under the Reconciliation Act H.R. 1.
“The fee for fiscal year 2025 is $1,000 and is subject to annual inflation adjustments,” USCIS stated. “You must pay this fee when granted temporary stay permission in the United States, unless you qualify for an exception.”
The agency clarified that it will charge the fee if the person is physically in the United States, but the cost will be covered once the immigrant receives notification from USCIS that their case will be approved.
The cost must be paid each time immigration authorities renew the permit.
“If we determine that we can approve your application for temporary stay permission or the renewal of temporary stay permission, and the payment of the immigration fee for temporary stay permission is required, we will notify you that you must pay this fee before we can approve your application,” USCIS stated. “The notification will include payment instructions and a deadline.”
Even if the permit is intended to be approved, the immigration agency clarified that ‘parole’ will not be granted unless the corresponding fee is paid within the notified timeframe.
USCIS urged individuals filing the Form I-131 or Application for Travel Document, Temporary Stay Permits, or Entry/Exit Records not to pay the fee upfront, as it will be charged once they are notified of approval.
“The immigration fee for temporary stay permission will be charged at the time the travel permit to the United States is granted,” it was clarified.
Despite the government shutdown under President Donald Trump, immigration agencies are operating at nearly full capacity.
“Our critical work does not stop during the government shutdown caused by Democrats,” the agency stated. “We remain steadfast in safeguarding our country by protecting legal immigration.”
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