The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced key changes to its immigration fee structure following the enactment of the Reconciliation Act H.R.1. The updates, official as of July 18, 2025, and published in the Federal Register, affect all foreign nationals filing applications for benefits in the United States. The agency established that, starting July 22, 2025, petitions must be submitted with the new fees. Applications filed after August 21, 2025, that do not include the required amounts will be rejected, according to USCIS.
- What specific changes does H.R.1 introduce to asylum fees?
- How does the reform affect the cost and procedure for work permits?
- How much does it cost to process Special Immigrant Juvenile status and TPS?
- What modifications apply to the validity periods of employment authorizations?
- How does H.R.1 affect fee payments and waivers?
- Which procedures have yet to be updated, and how can information be obtained?
The adjustment stems from a legislative mandate aimed at collecting and allocating revenue from immigration procedures to fund federal immigration systems and the Immigration Examination Fee Account. The regulatory change also allows a portion of the funds to be transferred to the U.S. Treasury, a mechanism previously implemented to ensure the sustainability of operational services related to immigration. This redistribution seeks to balance application demand, improve processing capacity, and keep administrative costs up to date.
The regulation states that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will update fee amounts annually, adjusting them based on inflation. This policy ensures that the fees required for services do not lag behind the cost of living and actual administrative expenses. All details regarding implementation, payment procedures, and the possibility of fee waivers and application rejections have been outlined in the July 2025 federal public notice.
Applicants must review the corresponding fees before submitting their forms to immigration offices. The regulation also emphasizes the need to regularly consult the agency’s official website for potential future updates and expansions in the list of forms with restructured fees.
What specific changes does H.R.1 introduce to asylum fees?
One of the most notable changes is the imposition of a $100 fee for filing the Form I-589, known as the Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal. Additionally, for each calendar year that the application remains pending, the applicant must pay a new Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) of the same amount. To facilitate tracking, the immigration authority will send notifications with instructions each time the annual payment deadline approaches. Those who submitted the form after October 1, 2024, and whose application remains pending for 365 days will also be required to comply with this rule starting on the first anniversary and subsequent years, according to the official statement.
The annual fee payment does not automatically fall on the applicant, nor does it require the individual to monitor the pending time, as the agency is responsible for directly informing the applicant through official channels about the amount to be paid, the method, and the corresponding period.
How does the reform affect the cost and procedure for work permits?
For employment authorization applications (Form I-765), the new system introduces differentiated fees based on immigration status and the stage of the process. Initial EAD applications for categories related to asylum, temporary stay permits, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will now cost $550. For renewals or extensions, the required fee will be $225.
An exception to this fee system applies to re-parole cases. Foreign nationals granted a new period of temporary stay through the Form I-131 will pay $275 for the EAD process. This is the lowest fee allowed under H.R.1 for these specific circumstances. These adjustments aim to standardize administrative costs and regulate access to these temporary employment options in line with federal immigration policy changes.
How much does it cost to process Special Immigrant Juvenile status and TPS?
The regulation establishes, for the first time, a $250 fee for any foreign national applying to be recognized under the Special Immigrant Juvenile category through the Form I-360. Additionally, the restructuring of the maximum cost for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) registration, managed through the Form I-821, involves an increase from $50 to $500, representing a significant difference in access to this benefit for migrants from designated countries.
These changes aim to close existing funding gaps in the processes and reflect the administrative burden of the system. Both the community and attorneys and legal representatives must pay close attention to the updated requirements to avoid errors that could lead to rejections.
What modifications apply to the validity periods of employment authorizations?
The H.R.1 Act introduced new time limits for work permits. For foreign nationals under temporary stay permits (“parolees”), employment authorization will be valid for a period not exceeding one year or for the duration of the permit, whichever is shorter. TPS beneficiaries will receive initial authorizations and renewals valid for similar periods, subject to both the calendar year and the specific duration of their status. This adjustment aims to reduce unnecessary procedures and improve the logistics of issuing and monitoring permits at the federal level.
How does H.R.1 affect fee payments and waivers?
The current regulations clarify that the fees introduced by H.R.1 are in addition to those already existing in the Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR Part 106). Furthermore, each fee must be paid separately, and applicants may only request a fee waiver for traditional fees using the Form I-912 or a formal written request. Under no circumstances will it be possible to obtain a waiver or reduction for the specific fees under H.R.1.
The requirement to pay both the original and additional fees demands close attention to detail when submitting documentation. The agency has provided a detailed guide for payments and announced that new instructions may be published to address operational questions or future updates.
Which procedures have yet to be updated, and how can information be obtained?
The federal notice stated that not all forms have been included in the first phase of fee updates. Upcoming government announcements will address adjustments for, among others, the Form I-131 (Applications for Travel Documents and Temporary Stay Permits) and the Form I-102 (Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Document). Updates will be published on the agency’s official digital portal, the primary reference for consultation and information validation.
Immigrant communities, law firms, and service providers must remain attentive to these official communications, as any update may involve changes to procedures and required documentation.
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