Annual US Asylum Fee Demands $100 Payments From Many Applicants

(UNITED STATES) All asylum seekers in the United States will now face a new cost tied to their pending cases: a $100 annual fee for each year their asylum application is pending, plus a $100 fee for new filings of Form I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal). The policy took effect in stages across agencies in mid to late 2025 and applies to cases before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as well as the immigration courts (EOIR). There are no fee waivers or reductions, and missed payments can lead to rejection, delays, or, in court cases, even removal orders.

Policy changes — key points

• The annual fee applies to anyone with a pending Form I-589, whether an affirmative application before USCIS or a defensive application in immigration court.
• USCIS will assess the annual fee starting October 1, 2025, for any asylum application filed on or before October 1, 2024 that remains pending as of September 30, 2025.
• For EOIR (immigration court) cases, the annual fee applies to any case that was pending more than one year as of July 4, 2025, and to any case that reaches one year pending after that date.
• For new filings, USCIS requires a $100 filing fee for all Form I-589 applications postmarked on or after July 22, 2025.
  • USCIS will reject applications postmarked on or after August 21, 2025 if they do not include the filing fee.
• In immigration court, the statute took effect July 4, 2025, and courts now treat the $100 as the initial fee for asylum filings pending with EOIR.

Payment channels and methods

• USCIS (affirmative asylum):
  • Payments must be made online through a USCIS online account.
  • Accepted payment methods: credit card, debit card, or U.S. bank account (ACH).
  • Paper checks and money orders are not accepted.
  • USCIS will send a notice when the annual fee is due; applicants should follow the instructions on that notice and pay promptly to avoid case problems.
• EOIR (defensive asylum / immigration court):
  • Pay electronically through the EOIR Payment Portal.
  • In the portal, the fee type appears as: “Court – I-589, Application for Asylum (Initial Fee).”
  • EOIR updated its system in late September 2025 to support the asylum annual fee, but payment steps can vary by courtroom.
  • Follow any judge’s instructions and confirm details with the court clerk when unclear.

How and when to pay — practical checklist

1. For USCIS (affirmative asylum):
   • Create and use a USCIS online account.
   • Pay with a credit card, debit card, or U.S. bank (ACH).
   • Watch for USCIS notices about the annual fee and pay promptly.
   • Include the $100 application fee for new filings postmarked on or after July 22, 2025; submissions postmarked on or after August 21, 2025 without the fee will be rejected.
2. For EOIR (defensive asylum):
   • Use the EOIR Payment Portal.
   • Choose “Court – I-589, Application for Asylum (Initial Fee).”
   • Follow court orders exactly and retain proof of payment.
3. For all cases (general rules):
   • There are no fee waivers for either the initial $100 filing fee or the $100 annual fee.
   • Keep a copy of your payment confirmation and save all notices.
   • If you move, update your address with USCIS or EOIR so you do not miss bills or deadlines.

Important: Missed payments can lead to rejection, delays, or even removal orders in court cases. Keep receipts and confirm payments are matched to the correct case.

Who is most affected

• Families and individuals with long-pending applications will face recurring annual costs while they wait for interviews, hearings, or decisions.
• The fee applies to the application (not per family member listed), but a single family filing will still face recurring charges that can strain low-income households.
• Asylum seekers who lack internet access, credit cards, or U.S. bank accounts may face practical barriers to paying online; community groups and legal aid providers will likely be pressed into assisting.

Operational and legal impacts

• Non-payment risks:
  • USCIS may delay or reject cases that lack payment.
  • Immigration judges may impose adverse rulings, including removal orders, in some circumstances.
• Case-management effects:
  • Some applicants might delay or reconsider filings because of the upfront and recurring cost.
  • Others may push for faster adjudication to avoid additional annual fees.
• Filing process:
  • The process for completing Form I-589 remains the same — including the usual one-year filing period exceptions.
  • Official USCIS instructions and updates for Form I-589 are at uscis.gov/i-589.

Inflation adjustments and future costs

• The Department of Homeland Security will increase fees each year based on inflation, meaning the amounts will likely rise over time.
• Expect annual notices that reflect updated figures; even small increases can accumulate for long-pending cases.

Common practical questions and recommended actions

• What if a payment is made but not matched to the right case?
  • Agencies instruct applicants to retain receipts and follow up with the agency or court to correct errors.
  • Attorneys can request judicial or administrative review of proof of payment if needed.
• If a court hearing coincides with a fee due date:
  • Bring a printed payment receipt and any notice referencing the fee to the hearing.
  • Follow the judge’s directions and have counsel available to address mismatches.

Recommended steps for applicants:
– Confirm your email and mailing address in your USCIS online account or with the court.
– Store all notices and receipts together and bring copies to interviews/hearings.
– Set calendar reminders for expected due dates and save every payment confirmation.
– Contact counsel promptly if anything looks incorrect in your account or a court notice.

Key dates to remember

• USCIS annual fees: first wave applies starting October 1, 2025, to cases filed on or before October 1, 2024, and still pending as of September 30, 2025.
• USCIS new filings: $100 filing fee applies to Form I-589 applications postmarked on or after July 22, 2025; applications postmarked on or after August 21, 2025 without the fee will be rejected.
• EOIR annual fees: apply to cases pending more than one year as of July 4, 2025, and to any case that reaches one year pending after that date.
• EOIR payment portal updated to support annual fees as of late September 2025.

Final notes

• The policy is national in scope and affects both affirmative and defensive cases.
• Government guidance is clear: the annual fee and the $100 filing fee are mandatory, must be paid online through official channels, and failure to pay can harm your case.
• The core legal standards for asylum remain unchanged; the fee only adds a recurring cost tied to the length of time a case remains pending.
• Applicants with questions should consult the official USCIS asylum page at uscis.gov/i-589 and use the EOIR Payment Portal for court payments. Attorneys advise careful budgeting, recordkeeping, and timely communication with counsel to reduce the risk of adverse consequences.