The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced new filing fees based on the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill, significantly impacting multiple categories of immigration applications. These fee updates, published in the Federal Register Notice on July 18, 2025, will apply to petitions and benefit requests postmarked on or after July 22, 2025.
Any form postmarked on or after August 21, 2025, without the correct new fee will be automatically rejected.
What is H.R. 1?
The H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill, passed by Congress, mandates new immigration-related fees to support both the Immigration Examinations Fee Account (IEFA) and the U.S. Treasury General Fund. These updates are in addition to the existing fees under 8 CFR Part 106 and are not subject to fee waivers.
Key USCIS Fee Changes Effective July 22, 2025
Asylum Applications (Form I-589)
- New Filing Fee: $100
- Annual Asylum Fee (AAF): $100 per year for pending asylum applications filed after October 1, 2024.
- How It Works: USCIS will notify applicants when the AAF is due. This fee must be paid each year the application remains pending.
Employment Authorization (Form I-765)
For individuals in asylum, parolee, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) categories:
- Initial EAD Application: $550
- EAD Renewal/Extension: $275
- Exception: If an EAD is requested after the approval of a new period of parole via Form I-131, the renewal fee will be $275.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (Form I-360)
- New Fee: $250
- Applies to juveniles filing under the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) category.
Temporary Protected Status (Form I-821)
- New TPS Registration Fee: Increased from $50 to $500
Important Reminders
- These H.R. 1 fees do not replace current USCIS fees. They are charged in addition to existing fees.
- Fee waivers under Form I-912 do not apply to the new H.R. 1 fees. Only existing USCIS fees may be waived for eligible applicants.
- Annual Adjustments: All H.R. 1 fees are subject to yearly increases tied to inflation, as required by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Validity Changes for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)
- Parolees: EAD validity is limited to one year or the duration of parole, whichever is shorter.
- TPS Beneficiaries: EADs are valid for one year or the duration of TPS status, whichever is shorter.
What Forms Are Not Yet Covered?
The current Federal Register Notice does not include fee updates for:
- Form I-131: Application for Travel Documents and Parole
- Form I-102: Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document
DHS will provide additional guidance on these forms in a future notice.
Why This Matters
For foreign nationals, visa holders, and businesses reliant on work authorization, these new fees can represent a significant financial shift. It is critical to budget for these additional costs and ensure compliance with all USCIS deadlines to avoid application rejections or processing delays.
At Ahluwalia Law Offices, we are here to help you navigate these changes with clarity and precision. Our team is ready to assist you with any questions about how the USCIS H.R. 1 immigration fee updates may affect your case.
