USCIS to implement new immigration fees from July 22, including asylum and TPS charges

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin enforcing a new set of immigration-related fees starting July 22, 2025, significantly affecting applicants seeking asylum, parole, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), among others.

The changes, outlined in a Federal Register notice dated July 18, are being implemented under a new federal law known as H.R. 1. USCIS confirmed that these fees apply globally—including to applicants from Nigeria and other countries.

Crucially, the agency emphasized that all fees are non-waivable and must be submitted with any benefit request filed on or after July 22. Furthermore, any form postmarked on or after August 21, 2025, that does not include the appropriate fee will be automatically rejected.

Key fee changes

• Form I-589 (Asylum and Withholding of Removal Application):
  A new $100 filing fee, marking the first time a fee has been imposed for asylum applications.

• Annual Asylum Fee (AAF):
  A $100 yearly charge on pending I-589 applications. This fee must be paid online, and USCIS will issue payment notices directly to affected applicants.

• Employment Authorization Document (EAD):

  • $550 for initial applications

  • $275 for renewals/extensions for individuals under categories such as asylum, parole, and TPS (including categories (a)(4), (a)(12), (c)(8), (c)(11), (c)(19), and (c)(34))

  • $275 for EADs filed with Form I-131 (re-parole)

• Form I-360 (Special Immigrant Juvenile):
  A newly introduced $250 application fee

• Form I-821 (Temporary Protected Status):
  The TPS registration fee will increase tenfold from $50 to $500

These new fees are in addition to existing charges outlined in 8 CFR part 106. USCIS has clarified that fee waivers (Form I-912) or written requests for reductions will not be accepted for any of the newly introduced charges.

EAD validity limits

The validity of work permits will now depend on the applicant’s immigration category:

• Parolees: EADs will be valid for no more than one year or until the end of the parole period—whichever is shorter.

• TPS beneficiaries: EADs, whether initial or renewed, will also be capped at one year or for the duration of their TPS designation.

What’s not changing—yet

USCIS noted that updates to the fee structures for other forms, such as Form I-131 (travel documents) and Form I-102 (replacement of arrival/departure records), are not included in this phase and will be addressed in a future Federal Register update.

Summary of affected categories and new fees

Applicants are advised to review USCIS’s official guidance and ensure timely and accurate payments to avoid processing delays or rejections.