The United States has officially confirmed new immigration fees increment that will take effect on January 1, 2026, following an inflation review carried out by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The agency said the modification stems from inflation figures recorded between July 2024 and July 2025, and it represents part of the annual mandatory update required under H.R. 1. According to USCIS, every application submitted from the effective date must reflect the revised costs, and any filing with outdated payments will be rejected.
Why the New Adjustment Was Announced
In its public notice, USCIS emphasized that the 2026 immigration fees increment is essential to maintain agency operations, fund service improvements, and prevent processing backlogs. The agency explained that the fee revision helps balance rising administrative costs, personnel expenses, and technology upgrades, ensuring the immigration system continues to function without interruption.
USCIS further clarified that the adjustments are not optional. The yearly update, mandated by federal law, requires the agency to align its filing fee schedule with prevailing inflation indexes. This ensures that processing fees reflect economic realities rather than remain fixed while operational costs continue to rise.
Breakdown of the New Filing Fees
For clarity, USCIS outlined the categories most affected by the 2026 immigration fees increment, while noting that some charges will remain unchanged.
Asylum-Related Fees
Asylum seekers will see slight increases across some filings:
The annual asylum application fee increases from $100 to $102, although it still “remains stayed by court order.”
The Form I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) fee for first-time asylum applicants rises from $550 to $560.
Although the changes appear minimal, USCIS stressed that using up-to-date fees is mandatory for proper processing.
Parole-Related EADs
Applicants under immigration parole programs will also experience fee adjustments:
Initial parole EAD fee increases from $550 to $560.
Parole renewals or extensions move from $275 to $280.
Form I-131 for re-parole rises from $275 to $280.
USCIS stated that these fees help support case reviews, background checks, and documentation processing for parole beneficiaries.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Fees
Individuals applying for or renewing Temporary Protected Status will also be affected:
TPS EAD (Form I-765) for initial applicants increases from $550 to $560.
Renewals or extensions move from $275 to $280.
Form I-821 TPS application fee rises from $500 to $510.
These adjustments remain part of USCIS’ effort to maintain service operations in TPS-designated countries.
Fees That Remain Unchanged
Despite widespread adjustments, some immigration fees will stay the same for 2026. These include:
The initial $100 Form I-589 fee for asylum seekers.
The $275 fee for asylum EAD renewals.
The $250 Form I-360 Special Immigrant Juvenile Petition fee.
USCIS explained that the decision to keep these charges unchanged was made after evaluating the financial impact on vulnerable groups, particularly juveniles and asylum applicants still navigating humanitarian processes.
USCIS Issues Warning to Applicants
The agency issued a strong advisory, stating that “all applications postmarked on or after January 1, 2026, must carry the new costs.” Submissions containing outdated fees will automatically be rejected, leading to processing delays for:
Employment authorization requests
TPS renewals
Parole-related filings
Asylum-linked applications
USCIS warned that such delays could affect work eligibility, travel permissions, or legal status extensions.
Annual Fee Updates to Continue
The announcement also reaffirmed that the immigration fees increment is not a one-time event. USCIS confirmed that annual inflation-based adjustments will continue in subsequent years, and additional details regarding future parole-related fee updates will be published when available.
The agency said the new fee structure is intended to ensure that the immigration system remains financially stable, efficient, and capable of handling rising service demands. According to USCIS, the adjustments—though modest—play a vital role in keeping the agency from facing operational disruptions or budget deficits.