USCIS fees will increase modestly for several immigration-related benefits beginning October 16, 2026, under the agency’s annual inflation adjustment for charges created by H.R.
1.
The changes affect the annual asylum application fee, the immigration parole fee connected to Form I-131, certain initial employment authorization documents, and Form I-821 applications for Temporary Protected Status.
USCIS said the adjustments reflect inflation between July 2025 and July 2026.
Requests postmarked on or after October 16, 2026, must include the new amount when one of the listed USCIS fees applies.
Table of Contents
Which USCIS fees are changing
The increases range from $10 to $30.
USCIS described these USCIS fees as inflation adjustments required under the law rather than a broad revision of every immigration filing fee.
| Fee or benefit | Previous amount | New amount | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Asylum Application Fee | $102 | $105 | $3 |
| Immigration Parole Fee connected to Form I-131 | $1,020 | $1,050 | $30 |
| Initial Form I-765 EAD for certain asylum applicants, parolees and TPS applicants | $560 | $570 | $10 |
| Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status | $510 | $520 | $10 |
The listed amounts are the specific H.R.
1-related fees identified in the USCIS announcement.
They should not automatically be treated as the total cost of every application or benefit request.
October 16 postmark date controls the amount
The effective date is October 16, 2026.
USCIS said a request postmarked on or after that date must include the adjusted fee for the applicable benefit.
That means applicants preparing a paper filing should pay close attention to the date the package is postmarked, not only the date the forms were completed or signed.
Submitting the wrong amount can lead to rejection.
USCIS specifically warned that a request postmarked on or after October 16 without the proper fee will be rejected.
Applicants should review the applicable USCIS fees before filing electronically and confirm that they are using the correct form, benefit category and payment amount.
Asylum applicants face two separate fee issues
The announcement covers the Annual Asylum Application Fee, which will rise from $102 to $105.
This charge is separate from other USCIS fees that may apply to an immigration filing.
The fee change does not mean every person connected to an asylum matter will pay the same total amount.
The amount owed can depend on the form being filed, the filing method and whether another statutory charge applies.
Asylum applicants seeking employment authorization may also be affected by the separate increase for certain initial Form I-765 applications.
USCIS lists asylum applicant EADs among the categories covered by the change.
Applicants should therefore check each fee separately rather than assuming that payment of one asylum-related charge satisfies all required payments.
Parole fee will increase to $1,050
The immigration parole fee will rise from $1,020 to $1,050.
USCIS identifies the charge in connection with Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records.
These USCIS fees are not the same as the general filing fee for Form I-131.
A person seeking a benefit through that form may need to determine whether the H.R.
1 immigration parole charge applies in addition to another required payment.
The practical impact will vary by the type of parole request and the circumstances of the case.
Applicants should use the fee information for the specific Form I-131 benefit they are requesting before submitting payment.
Because the new amount applies to requests postmarked on or after October 16, 2026, people mailing a filing near the effective date should verify the applicable amount immediately before sending the package.
Initial EAD fees rise for three listed groups
The initial Form I-765 employment authorization fee for the listed categories will increase from $560 to $570.
USCIS identifies three groups covered by this adjustment: asylum applicants, parolees and people applying for Temporary Protected Status.
The announcement addresses an initial Employment Authorization Document.
It does not state that every Form I-765 filing will change to $570.
That distinction matters because employment authorization fees can vary by eligibility category and filing circumstances.
Applicants should match the applicable USCIS fees to the exact EAD category instead of relying on a fee amount used for a different type of work permit.
TPS applications will cost $520 under the adjustment
The Form I-821 fee for an application for Temporary Protected Status will increase from $510 to $520.
TPS applicants may also encounter other required charges connected to their case, including an employment authorization fee if they request a work permit.
The total amount therefore depends on the benefits requested and the applicable instructions.
The $520 amount listed by USCIS is for the Form I-821 fee identified in the FY 2027 inflation adjustment.
It should not be assumed to cover every payment that may accompany a TPS filing.
Why USCIS is adjusting the fees
USCIS said H.R.
1 requires the Department of Homeland Security to adjust certain immigration-related fees for inflation beginning in fiscal year 2026 and continuing in later fiscal years.
The agency said the FY 2027 calculation accounts for inflation from July 2025 through July 2026.
The annual adjustment therefore applies to selected statutory fees rather than the entire USCIS fee schedule.
The policy follows the initial implementation of H.R.
1 immigration-related fees and the first inflation-based adjustments.
Future adjustments may also change the amounts if the statutory process continues to apply.
What applicants should do before filing
Identify the exact form and benefit category being requested.
Check whether the case involves one of the four fees listed in the FY 2027 announcement.
Use the fee amount that applies to the package’s postmark date.
Confirm whether a separate filing fee or additional statutory charge also applies.
Review the current USCIS fee schedule and form instructions immediately before submitting the request.
Applicants mailing a package before October 16 should keep proof of mailing and the postmark.
Those mailing a package on or after October 16 should use the new amount when the fee applies.
People who are unsure which amount applies should avoid guessing.
An immigration attorney or accredited representative can review the filing category, payment requirements and effective date.
What happens if the fee is wrong
USCIS said requests postmarked on or after October 16, 2026, without the proper fee will be rejected.
A rejection is different from a denial on the merits.
It means USCIS will not accept the submission for processing because the filing requirements were not met, including the payment requirement.
A rejected filing may create additional work and could affect timing, particularly when a deadline or an expiring immigration benefit is involved.
Applicants should verify the USCIS fees and payment method before sending the request.
The fee announcement does not change the underlying eligibility standards for asylum, parole, employment authorization or Temporary Protected Status.
It changes the amounts of the listed H.R.
1-related fees for fiscal year 2027.
Bottom line for affected applicants
Four USCIS fees will increase on October 16, 2026: the Annual Asylum Application Fee will become $105, the immigration parole fee will become $1,050, the listed initial EAD fee will become $570, and the Form I-821 TPS fee will become $520.
The most important filing detail is the postmark date.
Anyone submitting an affected request on or after October 16 must include the new amount or risk rejection for an improper fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the new USCIS fees take effect?
The adjusted fees take effect October 16, 2026. USCIS says requests postmarked on or after that date must include the new amount when the fee applies.
Which USCIS fees are increasing in FY 2027?
The Annual Asylum Application Fee rises to $105, the immigration parole fee rises to $1,050, certain initial EAD fees rise to $570, and the Form I-821 TPS fee rises to $520.
Will every Form I-765 applicant pay $570?
No. USCIS identifies the $570 amount for initial EAD applications in the listed asylum applicant, parole and TPS categories. Other Form I-765 categories may have different fees.
What happens if an applicant sends the wrong fee?
USCIS says a request postmarked on or after October 16, 2026, without the proper filing fee will be rejected.
Fact-Checked: The fee amounts, affected categories and October 16, 2026, effective date were checked against the USCIS FY 2027 alert and USCIS fee information available on September 30, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Applicants should verify the current USCIS fee schedule and filing instructions before submitting a request.
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