Understanding TPS Renewal Fee: Current Costs for Temporary Protected Status Extension

(UNITED STATES) The TPS renewal fee increased sharply this year after Congress enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), reshaping what hundreds of thousands of Temporary Protected Status applicants pay to maintain protection from deportation and keep work permission active.

As of September 21, 2025, the core fee to file or renew TPS is $500, and a separate $30 biometrics fee is required in almost all cases, bringing the base total to $530 per application. The law treats first-time filings and re-registrations the same for fee purposes, so new applicants and long-time TPS holders now face identical costs when they submit or extend their status.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced implementation on July 18, 2025, with the new fee levels taking effect on July 22, 2025.

What the new fees cover and how they apply

USCIS says the new fee structure under the OBBBA helps fund the general Treasury and covers agency processing needs.

• The basic math for renewal: $500 to file + $30 for biometrics = $530.
• If a person wants employment authorization, the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) tied to TPS now costs $1,070 (whether filing by mail or online).
• When someone requests both TPS and an EAD at the same time, the EAD cost is added on top of the TPS filing and biometrics fees.

VisaVerge.com’s analysis notes the combined price tag is now a central planning factor for families who rely on steady, lawful work access while remaining in the United States.

Biometrics fee and waivers

Under the policy implemented this summer, USCIS requires applicants to pay the $30 biometrics fee every time they re-register, even if fingerprints and photos were submitted in past years.

• The only exception is narrow: applicants may request a waiver of the $30 biometrics charge by filing Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver), but they must pay the $500 TPS filing fee in all cases.
• If a waiver request is denied, the person can re-file and pay the fees before the re-registration window closes or within 45 days of the denial notice.

Important: The main $500 TPS filing fee is not waivable.

Policy changes overview

USCIS confirmed the initial TPS application fee jumped from $80 to $500 starting July 22, 2025, with the OBBBA as the legal driver. That change creates immediate cost pressure on both new applicants and those re-registering during designated filing windows.

Key continuities and requirements:
– Applicants still file Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status) for initial applications or re-registrations.
– Those seeking work authorization also submit Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization).
– USCIS still requires biometrics collection (fingerprints and a photo) and will schedule an appointment after receiving the application package and fees unless a biometrics waiver is granted.

Because TPS designations last 6, 12, or 18 months and extensions depend on DHS determinations, many applicants will face these fees repeatedly while their country remains designated.

Quick fee summary (as of Sept 21, 2025)

• TPS application or re-registration fee: $500
• Biometrics fee: $30 (can be waived with an approved I-912; otherwise required each time)
• Total TPS filing cost without EAD: $530
• EAD tied to TPS (mail or online): $1,070
• Fee waivers: Not available for the $500 TPS filing fee; possible only for the $30 biometrics fee

USCIS will reject filings that lack the proper fees or include incomplete or unsupported fee waiver requests. A rejection can be especially risky if a re-registration window closes while the applicant corrects the paperwork.

Impact on applicants

The OBBBA-driven changes have three main impacts for everyday TPS holders:

1. Higher recurring costs
   • Example: A family with two TPS-eligible adults who both renew with EADs would face:
     • Two TPS filing fees: $500 + $30 per person
     • Two EAD fees: $1,070 per person
   • This combined outlay can rival a month’s rent in many cities.
   • Strategies to reduce strain include filing EADs only when needed or spacing filings across pay periods.
2. Less room for error
   • USCIS will reject applications that have incorrect fee totals or missing attachments (like I-912 when a waiver is requested).
   • Rejected packets do not stop the re-registration clock; late filings risk denial unless accepted for good cause.
3. Tighter timelines around waiver denials
   • If a biometrics waiver is denied, the applicant must re-file and pay before the re-registration deadline or within 45 days of the denial to avoid lapses in status and work permission.

Other practical effects:
– Employers may see more EAD renewal gaps if staff cannot afford fees.
– Community legal clinics expect heavier traffic for fee waiver assistance and packet preparation.
– Families may coordinate to pool funds if multiple adults renew in the same cycle.

Applicants should pay attention to filing location rules: USCIS posts country-specific addresses and current fees on its portal. Sending a packet to the wrong address can delay receipt and increase the risk of a missed window.

How to renew TPS and work authorization in 2025

The forms and sequence remain the same, but the fee and timing rules have changed. Below are concise steps reflecting USCIS guidance and the OBBBA rules.

1) Prepare the forms
– Complete Form I-821 for re-registration.
– If you want or need to work, complete Form I-765 and include it with your TPS packet.
– Confirm the edition dates for both forms match what USCIS accepts.

2) Gather required evidence
– Assemble documents showing continuous residence and physical presence.
– Make clear, legible copies and place evidence behind the correct form to avoid intake confusion.

3) Pay the required fees
– Include $500 TPS filing fee.
– Include $30 biometrics fee unless requesting a waiver with Form I-912.
– If applying for an EAD with the TPS filing, include $1,070 for the work permit.
– Pay using USCIS-accepted methods for your filing type (mail or online).

4) Request a biometrics fee waiver if needed
– File Form I-912 with your packet to ask USCIS to waive the $30 biometrics fee.
– Remember: the $500 TPS fee is not waivable.
– If the waiver is denied, re-file with payment before the deadline or within 45 days of the denial.

5) Mail or submit to the correct address
– Use the country-specific address on the USCIS site.
– Keep delivery proof and use tracking to confirm arrival.

6) Attend biometrics
– USCIS will schedule an appointment; bring the appointment notice and ID.
– Missing biometrics without an approved waiver can cause delays or denial.

7) Wait for a decision
– USCIS will notify by mail or through your online account.
– If approved, TPS continues for the period announced by DHS; if you filed for an EAD, USCIS will mail the card.

Tip: If you already have an unexpired EAD and don’t need a new card immediately, you may file Form I-821 now (pay $530) and submit Form I-765 later when needed (pay $1,070). Spacing filings can help manage budgets.

Common mistakes to avoid

USCIS warns that these errors can derail an application:
– Not signing forms
– Using the wrong fee amount
– Omitting the check or money order
– Sending to the wrong address
– Missing required evidence
– Forgetting to include I-912 when requesting a biometrics waiver

Each mistake can cause rejection or delay, increasing the risk of missing a re-registration window and wasting higher fees.

Longer-term outlook and advice

The OBBBA has moved TPS costs into a new era: same fee for new and renewing applicants, a narrow waiver only for biometrics, and a high EAD price that can affect job stability if delayed or skipped. As of late 2025, there are no announced plans to reduce filing costs or expand fee waiver options.

Practical reminders:
– Check edition dates for all forms before filing.
– Confirm current fee totals on the day you send the packet.
– Include I-912 with evidence if requesting a biometrics fee waiver.
– Use trackable mail and keep copies of everything you send.
– Attend biometrics appointments unless the fee is waived.
– Respond quickly to any USCIS requests for evidence.

Stakeholders are watching how the OBBBA fee structure affects outcomes. The government views the fees as a way to fund operations while maintaining the TPS process; applicants and advocates warn the policy’s real-world effects may be measured in missed paychecks, disrupted households, and lost legal protections if people cannot meet the higher costs.

Official resources

• USCIS TPS program page for updates and country-specific filing addresses: USCIS – Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status): USCIS – Form I-821
• Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization): USCIS – Form I-765
• Form I-912 (Request for Fee Waiver) for the biometrics charge: USCIS – Form I-912

VisaVerge.com reports applicants are already adjusting filing plans to match the OBBBA’s fee structure, with many households filing early to avoid last-minute issues and to spread the TPS renewal fee and EAD costs across pay periods. Early, accurate filing remains the most practical response to a policy landscape that asks families to pay more, organize better, and meet strict deadlines.