USCIS Announces FY 2026 Inflation-Adjusted HR-1 Immigration Fees

For anyone planning to file certain immigration applications with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in FY 2026, the new Inflation Adjustment to HR-1 Immigration Fees will matter directly to your budget and your timing. These fee changes come from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) and will apply to requests that are postmarked on or after January 1, 2026. Below is a clear walk-through of what is changing, why it is changing, and how to plan your own step‑by‑step process so your case isn’t rejected over a missing or wrong fee.

How HR-1 Created These Fees and Why They Now Increase

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. It’s a wide‑ranging law that changed different parts of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and, among other things, created new immigration fees. These fees were set as minimum amounts for FY 2025 and tied to specific immigration benefits, such as asylum applications, work permits for asylum seekers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and certain parole and Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) filings.

HR-1 did two important things about these fees:

1. Set baseline amounts for FY 2025, such as:
   • $100 for an asylum application under section 208.
   • $550 for an initial Employment Authorization Document (EAD) based on a pending asylum application.
   • $275 for many renewals/extensions of EADs connected to asylum, parole, or TPS.
   • $500 for a first‑time Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status (TPS filing fee, not including biometrics).
   • $250 for Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant when filed for SIJ status.
   • $100 annual fee for each calendar year an asylum application remains pending.
2. Forced an annual inflation update starting in FY 2026, using a specific inflation index: the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

By law, DHS and USCIS must:

• Look at the CPI-U for the month of July in the current year and compare it to July in the previous year.
• Apply the percentage increase to the current HR-1 fee.
• Then round down either:
  • To the next lowest multiple of $10 for most fees, or
  • To the nearest dollar for the Annual Asylum Fee.

For the FY 2026 adjustment, USCIS used CPI-U numbers from July 2024 and July 2025, drawn from the series CUUR0000SA0, which is available on the BLS site at BLS CPI-U series CUUR0000SA0.

How USCIS Calculated the FY 2026 Inflation Adjustment

Step 1: Find the inflation percentage

USCIS followed the method outlined in HR-1:

• CPI-U in July 2024: 314.540
• CPI-U in July 2025: 323.048

The change:

• Difference: 323.048 – 314.540 = 8.508
• Percentage change: 8.508 ÷ 314.540 ≈ 0.02705, or about 2.70%

This 2.70% figure is the key number. It’s the inflation adjustment factor that is applied to most HR‑1 immigration fees for FY 2026.

Step 2: Apply 2.70% to each fee

For each fee covered by the HR-1 schedule that is eligible for adjustment, USCIS:

1. Multiplies the current FY 2025 fee by 2.70% (or multiplies the fee by 1.027).
2. Adds that inflation amount to the original fee.
3. Rounds the result down:
   • For most fees: to the next lowest $10 (for example, $564.88 becomes $560, not $570).
   • For the Annual Asylum Fee: down to the nearest dollar (e.g., $102.70 becomes $102).

For some fees, the math gives a number that, when rounded down to the next $10, lands exactly on the current fee. In those cases, the fee doesn’t change at all for FY 2026.

USCIS notes that this approach follows the text of HR-1 (for example, sections 100002(c), 100007(a)(3), and 100009(b)(2)(B)), and keeps fees moving with inflation as Congress required.

Which Immigration Fees Change for FY 2026 — and Which Don’t

USCIS provided a detailed table (Table 1) summarizing the Inflation Adjustment to HR-1 Immigration Fees for FY 2026. Below is a breakdown in plain language, organized by type of benefit or form.

Asylum application fee — Form I-589

• Initial asylum filing fee (I-589 Asylum Fee)
  • Current fee (FY 2025): $100
  • After 2.70% increase: $102.70
  • Rounded down to next lowest multiple of $10: $100
  • FY 2026 fee: $100 (no change)

So, if you’re filing Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, the basic $100 fee stays the same for FY 2026.

Annual fee for pending asylum applications

• I-589 Annual Pending Asylum Application Fee (the Annual Asylum Fee)
  • Current fee (FY 2025): $100
  • Inflation-adjusted amount: $102.70
  • Rounded down to nearest dollar: $102
  • Fee increase: $2
  • FY 2026 fee: $102

This is a yearly fee charged for each calendar year an asylum application remains pending. USCIS notes an important legal development here: on October 30, 2025, in the case Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project v. USCIS (SAG-25-03299, D. Md.), USCIS paused the implementation of earlier annual asylum fee notices. Any applicant who received such a notice can ignore it for now, pending updated instructions.

However, that court order does not change the legal requirement to adjust the Annual Asylum Fee amount for inflation. USCIS is still announcing that the amount itself is now $102 for FY 2026; operational details may be clarified later.

Asylum-based employment authorization — Form I-765

The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is handled on Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, available from USCIS at Form I-765.

1. Initial EAD for asylum applicants with a pending I-589
   • Current fee: $550
   • 2.70% inflation adjustment: $14.88
   • Total: $564.88
   • Rounded down to next lowest $10: $560
   • FY 2026 fee: $560 ($10 increase)
2. Renewal or extension of asylum applicant EAD
   • Current fee: $275
   • HR-1 section 100011 does not allow inflation adjustments for this renewal fee.
   • FY 2026 fee: $275 (no change)

This means that asylum seekers applying for their first EAD under section 208(d)(2) will need to budget for a $560 fee starting in FY 2026, while renewals remain at $275.

Parole-based employment authorization — Form I-765 (1‑year validity)

For certain individuals paroled into the United States and requesting work permission:

1. Initial parole EAD (valid for 1 year)
   • Current fee: $550
   • Inflation adjustment: $14.88 → $564.88
   • Rounded down: $560
   • FY 2026 fee: $560 ($10 increase)
2. Renewal or extension of parole EAD (1 year validity)
   • Current fee: $275
   • Inflation adjustment: $7.44 → $282.44
   • Rounded down: $280
   • FY 2026 fee: $280 ($5 increase)

These fees apply to individuals who were paroled into the United States and are filing EADs tied to that parole status.

TPS-based employment authorization — Form I-765

For people with Temporary Protected Status (TPS):

1. Initial TPS EAD (valid for 1 year or the length of the TPS designation, whichever is shorter)
   • Current fee: $550
   • Inflation-adjusted: $564.88
   • Rounded down: $560
   • FY 2026 fee: $560 ($10 increase)
2. Renewal or extension of TPS EAD (1 year)
   • Current fee: $275
   • Adjusted: $282.44
   • Rounded down: $280
   • FY 2026 fee: $280 ($5 increase)

Re-parole EAD via Form I-131

USCIS also lists a fee for an EAD issued upon a new period of parole (re-parole), linked to Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, available at Form I-131.

• I-131 EAD upon new period of Parole (Re-parole)
  • Current fee: $275
  • Inflation-adjusted: $282.44
  • Rounded down: $280
  • FY 2026 fee: $280 ($5 increase)

TPS application fee — Form I-821

The core TPS application itself uses Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status, which you can access at Form I-821.

• I-821 TPS fee (first-time TPS applicants)
  • Current fee: $500
  • Inflation-adjusted: $513.52
  • Rounded down: $510
  • FY 2026 fee: $510 ($10 increase)

This amount does not include the separate $30 biometric services fee that may be required, as HR-1 describes the $500 as a filing fee only.

Special Immigrant Juvenile petition — Form I-360

Children applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status under INA section 101(a)(27)(J) use Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, which is available at Form I-360.

• SIJ I-360 fee
  • Current fee: $250
  • Inflation-adjusted amount: $256.76
  • Rounded down to next lowest $10: $250
  • FY 2026 fee: $250 (no change)

Because rounding down brings the fee back to $250, there is no increase for FY 2026.

Quick Reference Table — Selected FY 2026 HR-1 Fees

Important: USCIS will reject any immigration benefit request postmarked on or after January 1, 2026 that does not include the correct FY 2026 HR-1 fee. Confirm the fee applicable to your filing date before sending.

Step-by-Step: Planning Your Filing Around the FY 2026 HR-1 Fee Changes

To avoid a rejected case, you need to match your filing date and your payment to the correct fee schedule. According to USCIS, any immigration benefit request postmarked on or after January 1, 2026 that does not have the correct filing fee will be rejected.

Here’s a practical, step‑by‑step way to plan:

Step 1: Identify which HR-1 fee applies to you

First, determine whether your planned filing is one of the HR-1 fees that are subject to this Inflation Adjustment to HR-1 Immigration Fees:

• Are you filing an initial asylum application (Form I-589)?
• Do you already have an asylum case pending and need to know about the Annual Asylum Fee?
• Are you filing for an EAD as:
  • An asylum applicant with a pending I‑589?
  • A person paroled into the United States?
  • A TPS applicant or TPS holder?
• Are you filing your first TPS application on Form I-821?
• Are you a child seeking SIJ status via Form I-360?

If your situation involves other HR-1 fees, such as the separate parole fee (section 100004) or the Form I‑94 fee (section 100008), USCIS explains those will be handled in a future Federal Register notice with their own effective dates.

Step 2: Decide when you’ll file

Next, line up your planned mailing date with the fee rules:

• If your package will be postmarked before January 1, 2026:
  • The FY 2025 HR-1 fee schedule applies.
• If your package will be postmarked on or after January 1, 2026:
  • The FY 2026 adjusted fees in this notice apply.

Because of postal delays, it is safer to assume that anything mailed close to the New Year might be postmarked in 2026. If that happens and you used the old fee, USCIS will reject the filing, which can cost you time and, in some categories, even affect your status or work authorization.

Step 3: Double-check the exact fee amount

Before you prepare your check, money order, or online payment:

• Look again at the fee table in this notice or check the fee section on the official USCIS site at USCIS.gov for confirmation.
• Make sure you are using the correct FY 2026 amounts:
  • $560 or $280, not $550 or $275, where the inflation change applies.
  • $510 instead of $500 for a first‑time TPS application on Form I-821.
  • $102 instead of $100 for the Annual Asylum Fee in FY 2026.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, simple clerical errors on checks and money orders are a common reason for rejected filings, so investing a few extra minutes to confirm the exact number can prevent weeks of delay.

Step 4: Prepare your package with the correct form and fee

When you assemble your application:

• Use the latest edition of the USCIS form (check the edition date on the form page).
• Include:
  • The proper fee according to whether your mailing will fall before or after January 1, 2026.
  • Any other required payments, such as the $30 biometric services fee where applicable (for example, TPS biometrics on Form I-821).
• If you are an asylum applicant who received one of the earlier Annual Asylum Fee notices, remember that USCIS has said you may disregard that notice for now, due to the court order in the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project case. Wait for updated instructions from USCIS before making that specific payment, even though its amount has been adjusted in this notice.

Step 5: Mail and track your submission

Once mailed:

• Keep proof of postmark date (for example, a stamped receipt from the postal service), especially if you’re mailing in late December 2025.
• Monitor:
  • Whether your payment is cashed.
  • Whether you receive a Form I‑797C, Notice of Action showing your case was accepted.

If USCIS rejects your case due to an incorrect fee:

• You’ll need to re‑file with the correct amount, and your filing date will change, which can affect work authorization eligibility windows or status protection in some categories.

How USCIS Will Implement the FY 2026 HR-1 Fee Changes

USCIS explains that this Notice of Inflationary Fee Adjustment is meant to be the most equitable and practical way to collect the HR-1 fees for FY 2026. The agency notes:

• DHS and USCIS require time to:
  • Issue guidance to officers and the public.
  • Update internal systems, forms, and instructions.
• The public likewise needs time to:
  • Adjust pending applications.
  • Work with attorneys or accredited representatives to confirm correct fees.

The notice also clarifies that:

• The initial HR-1 fees and their yearly inflation adjustments are mandated by law.
• DHS may later codify these fees and the inflation process in 8 CFR part 106 in a future rulemaking, which would embed them directly into the Code of Federal Regulations.

Finally, the notice reminds readers that other HR-1 fees not detailed here—such as the parole fee under section 100004 and the Form I-94 fee under section 100008—will be updated in separate notices, each explaining its own effective date and implementation steps.

For official government information on USCIS fees and forms more generally, readers can refer to the main USCIS fees page at USCIS Filing Fees, which will incorporate HR-1‑related changes as they are operationalized.

Final takeaway: By carefully matching your filing date, form type, and the correct FY 2026 HR-1 fee, you can reduce the risk of rejection and keep your immigration process moving as smoothly as possible during this new inflation-adjusted fee cycle.