(UNITED STATES) The United States has rolled out sweeping new fees for work permits and nonimmigrant visas in 2025, a major shift driven by the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025. The changes began taking effect in July and will continue into the fall, touching almost every corner of the legal immigration system—from asylum seekers and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders to students, visitors, and skilled workers seeking visas at U.S. consulates.
Immediate changes and key dates
The largest immediate impact falls on asylum seekers applying for employment authorization.
- As of July 22, 2025, an initial work permit for an asylum applicant costs $550—a sharp departure from the previous $0 fee.
- Renewal costs for asylum EADs rose to $745 for online renewals (a $275 increase).
- For the first time, there is no fee waiver for an initial asylum EAD; partial waivers may be possible for renewals.
- USCIS also introduced an annual $100 fee for pending asylum applications.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes create new financial pressure for people waiting in the asylum process and may delay their path to lawful work.
Visa, travel, and related surcharges
Additional fees affect a wide range of travelers and visa applicants:
- A $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” will be added to every nonimmigrant visa issued at U.S. embassies and consulates, effective October 1, 2025. This applies to categories including H-1B, L-1, O-1, F-1, B-1/B-2, and J-1. The fee is described as refundable, but the refund process has not been explained.
- The I-94 issuance fee will increase to $24 (from $6), with no waivers.
- Travel authorization program fees are rising: ESTA to $40 and EVUS to $30.
- Agencies have signaled further guidance will come through rulemaking before some portions take effect.
Important: Some of these increases (I-94, ESTA, EVUS) still require agency rulemaking, so implementation timing and details could change.
Policy Changes Overview (selected items)
- Initial EAD (asylum): $550; effective July 22, 2025; no waiver.
- EAD renewal (asylum, online): $745; effective July 22, 2025; partial waiver possible.
- TPS application: $500.
- TPS EAD: $550 initial; $275 renewal.
- Visa Integrity Fee (nonimmigrant visas at consulates): $250; effective October 1, 2025; refundable but process unknown.
- I-94 issuance: $24; effective date pending; no waivers.
- ESTA: $40; pending implementation.
- EVUS: $30; pending implementation.
USCIS confirmed on July 18, 2025 that the new fees apply to forms tied to asylum, parole, TPS, and related categories—Form I-589, Form I-765, Form I-821, and Form I-360. While the agency must still finalize some surcharges through rulemaking, the asylum and EAD changes already apply.
Another key point: new asylum EADs remain valid for 5 years; earlier proposals to shorten validity to six months were not adopted.
Historical context
USCIS previously reworked EAD pricing on April 1, 2024, when it unbundled travel and work card fees from the adjustment of status base fee. That change raised standalone EAD costs for non-asylum categories to about $470–$555 online and $520–$605 on paper (depending on biometrics). The new 2025 fees are layered on top of that existing cost landscape.
Impact on applicants, employers, and communities
These price shifts change the financial equation for many families and institutions.
- Asylum seekers:
- Now face a $550 barrier for an initial EAD and $745 for online renewals.
- The lack of fee waivers for the first card may delay work authorization, increasing hardship while cases are pending.
- An annual $100 fee tied to pending asylum cases adds ongoing costs.
- TPS holders:
- $500 application fee.
- EAD costs: $550 for the first card, $275 for renewal.
- Employers and universities:
- The $250 Visa Integrity Fee applies to every nonimmigrant visa issued abroad, potentially raising onboarding costs for H-1B and L-1 hires and deterring some international students.
- Private sector leaders warn the additional costs could slow hiring and complicate staffing in tight labor markets.
- Advocacy groups and legal experts:
- Argue the changes create steep barriers for low-income immigrants and refugees.
- Expect litigation targeting parts of the law tied to humanitarian programs.
Government officials frame the fees as measures to recover program costs and deter misuse. Supporters say the fees will help fund processing; critics say they penalize people seeking protection or legal travel.
Payment, filing, and timing details
- Applicants can file
Form I-765(EAD) online or by mail.- For online filings, pay by U.S. bank account or credit card during the final application step.
- For mail filings, pay by check or money order to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security,” or use a credit card with Form G-1450.
- USCIS states that, as of August 21, 2025, it will reject any filing with the wrong fee and return it to the sender.
- Practical steps to follow:
- Confirm the effective date for the relevant fee.
- Pay the correct fee for the form and filing method.
- Use the official form and include supporting documents.
- Keep copies of all receipts and proof of payment.
Key forms and references:
– Form I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal): https://www.uscis.gov/i-589
– Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization): https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
– Form I-821 (Application for Temporary Protected Status): https://www.uscis.gov/i-821
– Form I-360 (Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant): https://www.uscis.gov/i-360
– Form G-1450 (Authorization for Credit Card Transactions): https://www.uscis.gov/g-1450
Also monitor the USCIS Newsroom for updates: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom. Officials say more guidance will arrive through Federal Register notices before pending surcharges take effect.
Practical considerations and advice
- The current rules maintain 5-year EAD validity for asylum EADs, which can help limit renewal frequency and costs.
- Budget planning: families and applicants should account for both upfront application fees and ongoing annual maintenance (e.g., the asylum $100 annual fee).
- Travelers and consular applicants:
- Expect the Visa Integrity Fee to apply starting October 1, 2025; keep proof of payment and monitor announcements about refunds.
- Watch for I-94, ESTA, and EVUS updates before filing or booking travel.
Warning: Because several increases still require agency rulemaking, there is implementation uncertainty. Details and effective dates could shift as agencies finalize rules.
Stakeholder responses
- Advocacy groups (e.g., Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, National Immigration Law Center) argue the fees will push vulnerable people deeper into poverty and may block access to lawful work.
- Private sector leaders warn of labor-market friction from added costs.
- Government supporters maintain the measures are intended to recover costs and deter misuse without changing legal eligibility for benefits or visas.
Contacts and next steps
- Applicants with case-specific questions can contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283.
- Stay informed by checking:
- Official form pages listed above.
- The USCIS Newsroom: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom
- Federal Register notices for upcoming rulemaking.
For now, the practical action items are clear: confirm effective dates, pay the correct fee, use the official form, and retain proof of payment and filings while agencies finish the rulemaking required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
This Article in a Nutshell
New 2025 fees under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act raise barriers for asylum seekers, TPS holders and visa applicants. Effective July 22 and October 1, key changes include a $550 initial asylum EAD, $745 online renewals, a $250 consular Visa Integrity Fee, and proposed I-94, ESTA, and EVUS increases.
