The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new set of immigration-related fees for various visa categories, including asylum, parole, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), set to take effect from July 22, 2025. These fees will apply to applicants globally, including those from Nigeria.
The changes were detailed in a Federal Register notice dated July 18, 2025, and are being implemented under provisions of U.S. legislation referred to as H.R. 1. According to USCIS, the fees are non-waivable and must accompany all relevant applications submitted on or after the effective date. Any applications postmarked from August 21, 2025, that do not include the new fees will be automatically rejected.
As part of the changes, a $100 application fee has been introduced for Form I-589, which is used to apply for asylum and withholding of removal. Additionally, a $100 Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) will be imposed on all pending asylum cases for each year the application remains unresolved. USCIS noted that this annual fee must be paid online, and applicants will be notified when it is due.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications in specific categories will also be affected. Initial EAD applications will now cost $550, while renewals and extensions will cost $275. These charges apply to applicants under categories such as asylum seekers, parolees, and TPS beneficiaries, including designations (a)(4), (a)(12), (c)(8), (c)(11), (c)(19), and (c)(34). Applicants requesting re-parole using Form I-131 will also pay a reduced EAD fee of $275 in line with H.R.1’s requirements.
Further adjustments include a $250 filing fee for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) cases filed under Form I-360 and a tenfold increase in the TPS registration fee under Form I-821—from $50 to $500.
USCIS clarified that these new charges are in addition to existing fees under the current U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (8 CFR part 106). Unlike some pre-existing fees that can be waived through Form I-912 or other requests, the new fees introduced through H.R.1 are not eligible for waivers or reductions.
The agency also announced that the validity period for EADs will now depend on the applicant’s status. Parolees will receive initial work permits valid for no more than one year or until their parole ends, whichever comes first. Similarly, TPS beneficiaries will receive EADs valid for one year or until the expiration of their TPS designation.
USCIS noted that additional fee changes involving other forms, such as Form I-131 and Form I-102, will be announced in future updates.
The agency has urged applicants to ensure that new payments are included in any forms postmarked on or after July 22, to avoid rejections or processing delays.
