The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new fees for asylum, work permit applications.
The new fee, effective from July 22, 2025, will affect immigrants applying for asylum, work permits, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
The new fees for asylum, work permit applications also mark a departure for asylum seekers who previously faced no cost to file Form I-589.
The USCIS explained that these changes are part of H.R. 1, a recently enacted U.S. law that helps fund the country’s immigration system and aims to address the backlog of cases.
Below is a breakdown of the new fees;
1. Asylum Application Fee
Asylum seekers must now budget for recurring costs while waiting for their case to be resolved, which could take years.
Form I-589
New cost: $100for Form I-589 (was previously free)
Annual fee: $100 every year while your asylum case is pending
Payment notices: USCIS will send yearly payment reminders to applicants
2. Work Permit (EAD) Fees
This applies to Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs), which let you legally work while your case is still under review.
Form I-765
First-time applicants: $550 for Form I-765
Renewal/extension: $275
3. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Registration
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) allows nationals from certain countries to live and work temporarily in the US if their home country is subject to conflict or natural disasters.
Form I-821
New fee: $500 for Form I-821 (up from $50).
4. Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) Fee
This protection is aimed at children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected, and nd are applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status, allowing them to seek special immigrant status under US law.
Form I-360
New fee: $250 for Form I-360.
This group previously had more protections, but now they’ll also be subject to fixed fees.
