USCIS implemented multiple filing fee increases and new fees throughout 2026, with the largest changes affecting asylum applicants, employment-based visa holders, and those renewing pending applications. These changes stem from HR-1, a federal reconciliation bill that introduced new mandatory fees—including a $100 asylum filing fee for the first time—and raised existing fees based on inflation. The changes rolled out on three key dates: January 1, March 1, and May 29, 2026. For most applicants, checking your specific form against USCIS's current fee schedule (Form G-1055) is the most direct way to learn what you owe.
Table of Contents
- The Asylum Fee and Annual Renewal Requirement
- Premium Processing and Employment-Based Fee Increases
- General Fee Increases and Other New Charges
- Who Pays What and Where Waivers Still Apply
- How to Find Your Exact Fee and Verify Payment Requirements
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Asylum Fee and Annual Renewal Requirement
Asylum applicants face the steepest burden under HR-1: a new $100 filing fee for Form I-589 that took effect January 1, 2026, with no waiver option. Starting May 29, 2026, applicants with pending asylum cases must also pay an annual fee—$102 in fiscal year 2026—every calendar year the application remains pending. The fee must be paid within 30 days of receiving notice, or your application will be rejected and any asylum-based work authorization will be lost. This annual requirement is unusual and strict: unlike most USCIS fees, the $100 initial asylum fee and annual renewal fees cannot be waived or reduced under any circumstances, even for applicants with very low incomes. Pay attention to USCIS notices about the annual fee deadline—missing it by even one day can end your pending application.
Premium Processing and Employment-Based Fee Increases
Employment-based visa applicants saw premium processing fees rise on March 1, 2026. Forms I-129 and I-140 (petitions for specialty workers and professionals) now cost $2,965 for expedited processing, up from the prior rates. Form I-765 (Employment Authorization) premium processing jumped to $1,780, and Form I-539 (extension of stay) rose to $2,075. Additionally, HR-1 created new add-on fees for employment authorization documentation (EAD) issued with green card applications: $560 if the EAD is issued with an approved I-485, and $280 if the EAD is filed at the same time as another form. adjustment of status applicants should budget for these add-on costs in addition to the I-485 filing fee itself.
General Fee Increases and Other New Charges
Across most standard immigration forms, USCIS applied inflation-based increases of $5 to $20 per form, rounded to the nearest $10 increment, effective January 1, 2026. These affect family-based petitions, naturalization applications, and many other routine filings. A new $24 fee was introduced for Form I-102 (Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document), the I-94 replacement card, effective May 29, 2026. The exact amount you owe depends on which form you're filing. USCIS publishes a complete breakdown in Form G-1055, which is updated regularly as new fees take effect.
Who Pays What and Where Waivers Still Apply
Different applicant groups face different impacts: While some USCIS forms allow fee waivers or reductions for low-income applicants (using Form I-912), the new HR-1 asylum fees are an explicit exception—they cannot be waived. Consult Form G-1055 for your specific form to confirm whether a reduction is available.
- **Asylum seekers**: $100 upfront, then $100+ annually if your case remains pending; no exceptions.
- **Employment-based visa holders**: Premium processing costs have risen; EAD holders filing for green cards pay add-on fees.
- **Family sponsorship and naturalization applicants**: Most pay the inflation-adjusted base fees on their main forms, which typically increased by $5–$20.
How to Find Your Exact Fee and Verify Payment Requirements
The safest approach is to pull your form number and look it up on USCIS's official fee schedule, Form G-1055, last updated May 29, 2026. The schedule lists every form, its base fee, and notes any add-ons or special requirements. Most forms now allow online payment; asylum applicants must pay online and cannot mail a check.
If you have a pending case, confirm whether you owe an annual renewal fee by checking any recent USCIS notices. For asylum applicants with pending I-589 applications, set a calendar reminder 30 days before the deadline in any notice you receive—missing the deadline has serious consequences and there is no grace period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the asylum filing fee waived if I cannot afford it?
No. The $100 initial asylum fee and annual $102 renewal fees cannot be waived or reduced under any circumstances, regardless of income.
Do I have to pay the annual asylum fee every year, or just once?
Every calendar year your I-589 application is pending. The fee must be paid within 30 days of receiving USCIS's notice about the payment, or your application will be rejected.
Are the general form fee increases waivable?
Some forms allow fee waivers or reductions using Form I-912 if you meet low-income criteria. Check Form G-1055 for your specific form to see if a reduction is available. Asylum fees are the exception—they cannot be waived.
What is the I-102 fee, and who pays it?
The new $24 fee for Form I-102 (Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document replacement) applies to anyone replacing or initially obtaining an I-94, effective May 29, 2026.