New US immigration fees take effect tomorrow: Asylum and work permits now cost more
Employment permits capped at one-year validity based on status
DUBAI: The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a sweeping change in immigration-related fees, effective from 22 July 2025, under the new H.R. 1 legislation.
Applicants submitting benefit requests postmarked on or after this date must include the revised charges. Any applications received on or after 21 August 2025 without the proper fee payment will be automatically rejected. These new charges are non-waivable and apply in addition to existing USCIS filing fees.
The new fees target key immigration forms, including those related to asylum, employment authorisation, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJs).
Key charges explained
Among the most significant changes is a $100 filing fee for Form I-589, used to apply for asylum and withholding of removal.
In addition to the application fee, USCIS has introduced a new Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) of $100 for each calendar year that a Form I-589 remains pending. This recurring fee must be paid online, and USCIS will send individual notices to applicants when their payment is due.
Employment permits
Changes also affect Form I-765, the application for Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs), which permit individuals to work legally in the United States.
Under the new structure:
- Initial EADs will cost $550
- Renewal or extension of an EAD will cost $275
These charges apply to categories including asylum, parole, and TPS: specifically (a)(4), (a)(12), (c)(8), (c)(11), (c)(19), and (c)(34).
Applicants filing for re-parole using Form I-131 will pay the reduced H.R. 1 fee of $275 for an EAD.
TPS and Juvenile applications
The cost to register for Temporary Protected Status using Form I-821 has increased tenfold from $50 to $500.
Meanwhile, applicants filing as Special Immigrant Juveniles under Form I-360 must now pay a new fee of $250.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the H.R. 1 fees cannot be waived or reduced, unlike some existing fees that are eligible for waiver through Form I-912 or written requests.
Each H.R. 1 fee must be submitted separately, and they do not replace existing charges outlined in 8 CFR Part 106.
Changes to validity periods
Along with higher costs, validity durations for work permits are also changing:
| Category | New EAD Validity |
| Parolees | Maximum one year or until parole ends |
| TPS Applicants | Maximum one year or until TPS status ends |
These limits apply to both initial and renewal work authorisation documents.
Not all changes in effect yet
USCIS clarified that additional fee changes outlined under H.R. 1 will be implemented later. These include updates to:
- Form I-131 (Application for Travel Documents)
- Form I-102 (Replacement of Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Document)
DHS will announce those adjustments through a future Federal Register Notice.
All figures are in US dollars, but applicants in the UAE and similar regions should expect to pay the equivalent in local currency. As of now, $100 equals approximately Dh367, and $550 equals around Dh2,020, depending on the exchange rate.
Stay informed and ensure all forms are submitted with the correct fees to avoid delays or rejections.