US to increase immigration fees for asylum, work permits, TPS from October 16

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plans to raise fees for several immigration applications starting October 16, 2026. These changes are part of an annual inflation adjustment to certain fees established under H.R. 1, as per updated guidance from USCIS. The fee increases range from $3 to $30, depending on the immigration benefit requested, and will apply to applications postmarked on or after the specified date.

USCIS emphasizes that applications submitted with an incorrect filing fee may be rejected, making the new charges crucial for foreign nationals preparing to submit applications near the implementation date. The Department of Homeland Security attributes the revised charges to inflation between July 2025 and July 2026. The effective date determines whether applicants pay the existing or revised fees, with postmarked requests on or after October 16, 2026, requiring the new fee applicable to the sought immigration benefit.

Failure to include the correct filing fee could result in USCIS rejecting the application, even if the fee difference seems minor. This measure follows a series of recent changes to U.S. immigration charges, impacting asylum seekers, foreign workers, and those applying for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Non-payment of the applicable fee might prevent USCIS from granting parole, imposing an additional cost for foreign nationals utilizing humanitarian and public-benefit parole programs.