New USCIS Immigration Fees: What You Need to Know and Why You Should File Now

USCIS is required by law (HR-1, “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Public Law 119-21) to collect additional fees for many immigration benefits. These HR-1 fees add to existing USCIS fees (unless otherwise specified) and often cannot be waived or reduced.

They are also indexed for inflation in future years.

Most of the new fees go into effect for benefit requests postmarked on or after July 22, 2025. Requests submitted without the proper filing fee (including the HR-1 required “additional fees”) on or after August 21, 2025 risk rejection.

If you are planning to apply for any immigration benefit, submitting your application before future increases will help you avoid higher costs. Fee hikes are now mandated by statute (through CPI-U) and other legislation—waiting can cost you. Keep reading for the new fee schedule and tips for filing soon.

What’s Changed / Key Details

• Additional Fees: HR-1 imposes “minimum amounts” (as of FY 2025) for certain immigration benefit filings. These are “in addition” to existing USCIS filing fees under 8 CFR Part 106.
• No Waivers for HR-1 Fees: Unless explicitly exempted, the new HR-1 fees must be paid. Waivers or reductions are generally not permitted for the HR-1 portion. Pre-existing regulatory fee waivers may still apply to the old fees in some cases.
• Annual Adjustments: For FY 2026 and beyond, the HR-1 fees will be adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), with any rounding rules as required.
• New Categories Affected include, among others: asylum applications; employment authorization documents (EADs) for various categories (asylum seekers, parolees, TPS); temporary protected status (TPS) registration; special immigrant juvenile (SIJ) petitions; and annual fees for pending asylum applications.

Summary Table: New HR-1 Immigration Fees (FY 2025)

Below is a table summarizing the HR-1 additional fees for FY 2025. (Existing USCIS fees are not fully listed; this table shows the new/additional fee amounts plus combined where relevant.)

Why Filing Sooner Can Save You Money

Because these HR-1 fees are now law, several mechanisms will likely cause fees to increase over time:

1. Inflation (“CPI-U”) Adjustments: Starting FY 2026, fees will increase in line with inflation. That means what you pay now could be substantially less than what you’ll pay if filing after the new amounts take effect.
2. Other Legislative Changes: Congress may further amend fees. Future bills or regulatory changes might impose even more fees or raise existing ones. Those caught unprepared could face significantly higher costs.
3. Operational Rejections / Delays: Applications submitted without all required fees (existing + HR-1) will be rejected if postmarked on/after August 21, 2025. Delaying increases risk not just cost increases, but also having to redo parts of your application.
4. Uncertainty / Transition Periods: Even though the law was signed in early July 2025, implementation is rolling out. Some confusion, new rules, or delays in guidance may make it harder to correctly submit applications later. Getting started now gives you more time to iron out issues.

What You Should Do Now

To protect yourself from unexpected costs and delays, here are suggested steps:

• Check if your benefit/form is affected by the HR-1 additional fees (see summary table above).
• Estimate your total cost now: add existing USCIS fee + HR-1 fee + any required biometrics or other service fees.
• File before August 21, 2025 if possible (if your form allows), with all required fees, to avoid rejection.
• Double-check the mode of filing (paper vs online)—existing USCIS fees often differ for those. HR-1 fees apply regardless of mode.
• Prepare for renewals / extensions: if your EAD or status will need renewal under a category affected, plan ahead.
• Monitor USCIS guidance: USCIS may release additional clarifications, especially for fees not fully covered in the July notice. For example, the parole fee, visa integrity fee, Form I-94 fee, and others have yet to be announced or finalized.

Immigration Fee FAQs

Can I get a waiver of the new HR-1 fees?

No. In almost all cases the HR-1 fees are expressly non-waivable (“shall not be waived or reduced”).

Only the pre-existing USCIS regulatory fees might remain eligible for waivers, in permitted categories.

If I’m already under a pending asylum application, do I need to pay the annual asylum fee (AAF)?

Yes. The law requires that any asylum applications pending for a full calendar year will incur the AAF ($100 for FY 2025). USCIS will send notices to those affected with instructions.

What happens if I submit without the new fee?

If the application is postmarked on or after August 21, 2025 and you don’t include the HR-1 fee (plus any other applicable fees), USCIS will reject the request.

Does the HR-1 fee replace old fees?

No. HR-1 fees are generally in addition to existing fees under USCIS regulations.

Need Help With Immigration? Call John W. Lawit, LLC

Don’t delay your immigration journey. Contact John W. Lawit, LLC today to understand how these new fees may impact your application and to ensure your submission is timely and complete, helping you avoid unnecessary costs and rejections.

Call us at (214) 609-2242.