H.R. 1 Immigration Fees: The Annual Asylum Fee, New EAD Fees and Other Changes

The budget law signed on July 4, 2025 created a set of new immigration fees that are charged on top of the regular USCIS fee schedule. Some of them, like the annual asylum fee, recur while a case is pending. This article explains what changed and how to avoid rejections.

Where the fees come from

Most USCIS fees are set by regulation to fund the agency's operations. H.R. 1, signed on July 4, 2025 as Public Law 119-21, did something different: it wrote specific immigration fees directly into the statute. Because those amounts are set by Congress, USCIS implemented them through a notice rather than a new fee rule. The notice, published in the Federal Register on July 22, 2025, explains that the H.R. 1 fees are charged in addition to the existing fees in 8 CFR part 106, that they must be submitted separately, and that fee waivers and reductions are prohibited for them.

The notice applied the fees to requests postmarked on or after July 22, 2025, and stated that forms postmarked on or after August 21, 2025 without the required fees would be rejected.

Main fees affecting individuals

• Asylum application. A $100 fee is due with Form I-589, in addition to any other fee.
• Annual asylum fee. While an asylum application remains pending, a $100 fee is due each year. It must be paid online, and USCIS sends notices with payment instructions.
• Work permits for certain groups. Asylum applicants, parolees and TPS beneficiaries pay an additional fee for Form I-765: $550 for an initial EAD and $275 for a renewal or extension, according to the USCIS notice and fee tables.
• TPS. The TPS registration fee was increased, and parole-related requests carry new fees as well.

Amounts can be adjusted for inflation over time, so always confirm the current figure on the USCIS filing-fees page before mailing a package. Fee mistakes are one of the most common reasons for rejection; our guide to fixing a rejected USCIS filing explains the next steps if it happens.

Why the annual asylum fee matters

Asylum cases can remain pending for years, especially in immigration court. A recurring fee means that applicants must track deadlines long after filing and keep their address current so that payment notices arrive. Anyone with a pending case should keep proof of every payment. Readers new to the process can start with our overview of asylum law and our tips on managing the cost of an asylum lawyer.

Long waits also raise the question of whether a delayed affirmative asylum case can be pushed forward. The rules and limits of that strategy are discussed in this overview of affirmative asylum delays and federal lawsuits. Note that from late 2025 until a federal court vacated the policy in June 2026, USCIS had placed affirmative asylum decisions on hold; see our Dorcas v. USCIS article.

Work permits: fees plus shorter validity

The same period brought other changes to work permits, including limits on validity periods for some categories and the end of automatic extensions for most renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025, covered in our article on the end of automatic EAD extensions. Applicants whose EAD applications stall well beyond normal times can review options in this guide to work authorization delays.

A payment checklist

• Confirm every fee on the USCIS filing-fees page on the day you file, including the H.R. 1 fee and the regular fee for the form.
• Submit the H.R. 1 fee separately from the regular fee, as the USCIS notice requires.
• If you are eligible for a fee waiver of the regular fee, remember that the H.R. 1 fee still has to be paid.
• For the annual asylum fee, pay online using the instructions in the USCIS notice and keep the confirmation.
• Keep copies of checks, card authorizations and receipts in your case file.

Who is most affected

The new fees fall most heavily on people with the fewest resources: asylum seekers, parolees and TPS beneficiaries, many of whom also need work permits to support their families. Organizations that assist these groups have reported more rejected filings because of missing or incorrect fees, which can cost weeks or months. For people whose cases are already pending, staying current with recurring fees and notices is now part of keeping the case alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a fee waiver for the new H.R. 1 fees?

No. The USCIS notice states that fee waivers and reductions are prohibited for the H.R. 1 fees, although waivers may still be available for some regular USCIS fees.

How do I pay the annual asylum fee?

Online, following the instructions in the notice USCIS sends. Keep your address current with USCIS and the immigration court.

What happens if I mail an application without the new fee?

USCIS stated that forms postmarked on or after August 21, 2025 without all required fees would be rejected.