The new cost for asylum applications and other immigration procedures under Trump’s law

The costs of entering the United States have increased. First, a new (and not inexpensive) fee was established for non-immigrant visas, and now asylum applications, work permits, and other special licenses will be more expensive, affecting thousands of people who want to leave their countries and seek protection or work temporarily in the United States.

On July 18, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the new fees that would take effect under Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. According to the announcement, applicants must submit their applications with the new fees starting July 22. After August 21, 2025, the agency will reject any forms that do not include the corresponding fees. Below are the current costs and how they have changed from the past.

Asylum seekers

• New processing fee of $100 for initial asylum applications (Form I-589), which were previously free
• New annual fee of $100 while the application is pending, payable online each year
• No fee waivers are allowed for any of these cases

Work permits (EAD - Form I-765)

Asylum seekers applying for a work permit (category c)(8)

• New fee of $550 for initial EAD (previously free)
• An additional cost of $275 is added to renewals (in addition to the current fee of $520 on paper or $470 online)
• Total cost of renewal: $795 on paper or $745 online
• No exemptions from the new fee are allowed

EADs based on temporary stay permits (refugees, TPS holders, spouses of entrepreneurs, and others)

• New fee of $550 for the initial EAD
• Cost of $275 for renewals
• Total costs vary depending on the method of submission. Some exceed $1,000
• No fee waivers are allowed for these new amounts

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Initial TPS registration (Form I-821)

• Normal cost: $50 + $30 for biometrics (may be waived)
• New $500 fee added (cannot be waived)
• Total: $530 minimum, not including the EAD

TPS EAD

• New $550 fee for initial EAD
• $275 fee for renewals
• These fees are in addition to the usual EAD filing fees
• No exemptions for the new fees

Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJ - Form I-360)

• Previously, it was free to file the application
• Now subject to a new fee of $250
• No exemption available

Temporary residence permit (PIP) / Military-related

• Military PIP applications for family members (Form I-131)
• Current cost: $520 (sometimes exempt).
• A new fee of $275 is added under the Big Beautiful Bill, with no exemption.
• For veterans or active duty members (IMMVI cases), whose base fee is already $0, the new $275 fee must still be paid.

In addition to the above, starting in 2026, the cost of tourist visas and other nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States will increase significantly due to the introduction of a new $250 “integrity fee.” This measure raises the price of non-petition visas from $160 to $410, and petition visas from $190 to $440, with the argument of promoting legal compliance among foreign visitors. Although a refund system is planned for those who comply with all the conditions of their visa, it is unclear how much would be refunded. The tourism sector has strongly criticized this policy, warning that it could reduce the number of international visitors and generate millions in economic losses, especially during events such as the 2026 World Cup.

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