The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Thursday an upcoming increase in various immigration fees beginning January 1, 2026. These adjustments, which will occur annually, are mandated by the HR-1 Act passed in 2025 to account for inflation.
Although the fee hikes may appear minor, ranging from $2 to $10 depending on the service, they come at a challenging time. This marks the third consecutive rise in less than two years for immigrants.
For countless Cubans relying on work permits, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), asylum, or parole to stabilize their life in the U.S., this news feels like yet another burden on an already steep climb.
At first glance, the 2026 fee increase seems moderate. For instance, the cost of a work permit for asylum or TPS applicants will rise from $550 to $560, while renewals will increase from $275 to $280. The TPS application fee will go up from $500 to $510, and the asylum fee, currently suspended by a court order, will increase from $100 to $102.
However, these adjustments build upon fees that have already surged in 2024 and 2025:
2024: The Initial Shock
This was the first fee increase since 2016. USCIS raised various fees, such as:
- Permanent residency: from $1,225 to $1,440.
- Work permit: from $495 to $520 (online applications were $470).
- Naturalization: from $640 to $710 online, and up to $760 on paper.
Additionally, the new rule removed the inclusion of work and travel permits in the residency fee, pushing the total cost over $2,000.
2025: The Toughest Year
With the enactment of the HR-1 Act during the Trump administration, came even more significant increases:
- Immigration appeals jumped from $110 to $900.
- Residency application rose to $1,500.
- The I-601 waiver reached $1,050.
- Reopening a court case now costs $5,200.
- Parole applications hit $1,000, becoming a mandatory fee upon approval.
Even previously free services, such as some parts of Parole in Place, lost their exemptions.
Attorney Willy Allen warned at the time, "Things are going to get expensive! Many people will lose their asylum cases."
Today, the fee increases for 2026 are seen as a continuation of this upward trend.
USCIS Confirms: Annual Fee Increases
The notice published in the Federal Register states that starting in 2026, fees will rise annually based on inflation from July 2024 to July 2025, as required by the HR-1 Act.
This means that the immigration system has entered an era of continuous fee increases, with costs now driven by the inflation index rather than periodic fee studies.
Who Will Be Affected in 2026?
The upcoming fee increases will impact services such as:
- Work permits for asylum, TPS, or parole applicants (initial and renewals).
- TPS applications.
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications tied to parole or re-parole.
- Annual asylum fees (if the court order is lifted).
Fees that will not increase include:
- I-589 for asylum applications.
- EAD renewals for asylum applicants.
- I-360 for special immigrant juveniles.
As 2026 approaches, it's clear that regularizing one's status will become even more costly. After two years of substantial increases, any additional fees weigh heavily on the wallets and hopes of those trying to build a new life in the United States.
Key Questions About Upcoming Immigration Fee Increases
Why are immigration fees increasing annually?
The annual increase in immigration fees is mandated by the HR-1 Act, which requires adjustments based on inflation from the previous year.
How will the fee increases impact Cuban immigrants?
Cuban immigrants relying on work permits, TPS, asylum, or parole will face higher costs, adding financial pressure to their efforts to stabilize their lives in the U.S.
What fees will remain unchanged in 2026?
Fees for I-589 asylum applications, EAD renewals for asylum applicants, and I-360 for special immigrant juveniles will not increase in 2026.