Beginning January 1, 2026, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement an increase in several immigration processing fees. This adjustment aligns with the annual inflationary update mandated by the H.R. 1 legislation.
Published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2025, this policy responds to the rise in living costs observed between July 2024 and July 2025. Moving forward, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will conduct similar adjustments each fiscal year, in accordance with changes in the inflation index.
Key Fee Increases
The revised fees impact significant forms such as the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765), which will see its initial fee increase from $550 to $560. Renewals or extensions of work permits under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will rise from $275 to $280, while the Application for TPS (Form I-821) will increase from $500 to $510.
Additionally, costs for the Advance Parole Document (Form I-131) will see a modest rise from $275 to $280. However, fees for other forms, like the I-589 for asylum applications and the I-360 for special immigrant juveniles, will remain unchanged at $100 and $250, respectively.
Annual Adjustments and Compliance
Most fee increases range between two and ten dollars. USCIS has emphasized that any immigration benefit application postmarked on or after January 1, 2026, must include the updated fee to avoid rejection.
This inflation adjustment is part of an annual review policy aimed at maintaining the agency's financial self-sufficiency and covering the rising operational costs associated with processing millions of applications each year. The U.S. government advises applicants to check the updated fees before submitting any forms.
USCIS Fee Changes: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is USCIS increasing processing fees?
The fee increase is part of an annual adjustment for inflation mandated by law, aiming to address the rising cost of living and ensure USCIS can cover its operational costs.
Which forms are affected by the new fee adjustments?
The main forms affected include the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765), work permit renewals under TPS, and the Application for TPS (Form I-821), among others.
When will the new fees take effect?
The new fee structure will be effective starting January 1, 2026.