DISCLAIMER- This blog is meant as general advisory. For specific legal nuances regarding it, please make an appointment with an immigration attorney. This is meant to help the readers, any specific questions cannot be answered by our front desk, except what is already explicitly mentioned in the blog. Please book an appointment with an attorney to address your specific concerns.
As we have cross checked, this information has not been updated on the USCIS Fee Schedule. Till all fee changes have been updated on the USCIS Fee Schedule, We do not recommend filing an application before it is updated.
On July 3, 2025, the House of Representatives passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a comprehensive budget reconciliation bill containing sweeping changes to immigration-related filing fees. As of July 4, 2025, these new fees are now law, pending signature by the President, and take immediate statutory effect across a wide range of immigration benefits and proceedings.
For foreign nationals, visa holders, asylum seekers, and TPS applicants currently in or intending to enter the U.S., these fee changes carry significant financial implications. Below, Ahluwalia Law Offices summarizes the major updates you need to know, as confirmed by federal sources including USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Overview: New Immigration-Related Fees
The reconciliation bill imposes new mandatory minimum fees for multiple applications, many of which are in addition to existing filing fees. In most cases, these new fees cannot be waived, and they may increase annually based on inflation or further regulation.
While the fees are effective immediately under statute, there may be delays in operational collection as federal systems adapt to these changes.
Fee Increases by Category
🔹 Asylum Applications
- Initial Filing: $100
- Annual Renewal Fee: $100
- Initial Employment Authorization Document (EAD): $550
- EAD Renewal or Extension: $275
Fee waivers are not available for asylum-related fees.
🔹 Parole Applications
- Parole Request: $1,000
- Initial EAD (1-year limit): $550
- EAD Renewal or Extension (1-year limit): $275
Certain humanitarian-based fee exceptions may apply on a case-by-case basis.
🔹 Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Application Fee: $500
- Initial EAD (1-year limit): $550
- EAD Renewal or Extension (1-year limit): $275
No waivers allowed for TPS EAD fees; some TPS application fees may be waivable.
🔹 Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
- Application Fee: $250
Waivers available if reunification with at least one parent is possible.
Immigration Court & Appellate Fees
emergencies where treatment is unavailable in home country for self or parent or legal guardian; 2) urgent
organ or tissue donation; 3) family member whose death is imminent; 4) funeral of close family member; 5)
adopted child with urgent medical condition; 6) Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) returning from temporary
travel abroad; 7) return from a contiguous country to attend immigration hearing; 8) Cuban or Haitian entrant;
assistance with law enforcement matter.
Fee waivers are available for some proceedings, particularly for those who meet financial or legal hardship criteria.
Additional Visa and Processing Fees
requirements, including not accepting unauthorized employment; the noncitizen departed the U.S. within 5
days of admission period, or extended or adjusted status during admission. Applies to noncitizen applying for SIJS if reunification with 1 parent is possible.
Note: The Visa Integrity Fee may be reimbursable if the individual complies with visa terms, including timely departure and no unauthorized work.
What This Means for You
If you are a foreign national applying for any immigration benefit — asylum, parole, TPS, special immigrant status, or appearing in immigration court — your cost of application has increased, and in many cases, fee waivers are not available. This change underscores the importance of preparing your applications carefully and working with legal professionals to navigate the evolving fee structure.
At Ahluwalia Law Offices, we remain committed to helping you understand your legal options and to providing clear, strategic guidance through these regulatory changes.
📞 If you have questions about how these new immigration fees affect your case, contact Ahluwalia Law Offices for a consultation.
