USCIS Fees Overhauled in 2025: Your Guide to New Filing Costs

Key changes, effective dates, and practical tips for asylum seekers, EAD applicants, and special immigrant petitions

The biggest change to U.S. immigration filing fees in decades began in the summer of 2025. A simplified but more expensive fee structure has replaced the previous combination of free forms and small fees, with additional fees for work permits, special immigrant petitions, and asylum applications. Knowing these changes is the first step to preventing expensive delays, whether you're handling your own paperwork or helping a loved one through it.

 

Why the Fees Changed

In mid-2025, Congress passed the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill with two primary objectives: to finance new border-security infrastructure and to generate revenue for backlogged case processing. Legislators instructed USCIS to impose baseline fees on forms that had been free for years, rather than merely increasing the current fees by a percentage. The outcome? There are now fees for petitioners for special immigration, employment authorization, and asylum where none previously existed.

 

Mark Your Calendar

Timing is everything. USCIS will reject filings without the correct fees if they’re postmarked on or after:

• July 22, 2025: New fees begin.
• August 22, 2025: Even motions and appeals must include updated fees.

Verify your postmark and payment if you are mailing in your documents during the transition period. If there is a discrepancy, the form is returned, and you have to start over.

 

The New Price Tag

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll pay under the 2025 fee schedule:

Form	What It’s For	New Fee	Old Fee
I-589	Asylum & Withholding of Removal	$100	$0
I-589	Annual Asylum Fee (after 1 year pending)	$100/year	N/A
I-765	Employment Authorization (new)	$550	$0
I-765	Employment Authorization (renewal)	$275	$0
I-360	Special Immigrant Juvenile Petition	$250	$0
I-821	Temporary Protected Status (TPS)	$500	$50

 

 

What This Means for You

Asylum Seekers
Form I-589 filing was free for decades. It will cost $100 starting in July, plus an additional $100 annually if your case continues for more than a year. For those who already deal with uncertainty, that creates an additional financial barrier. Don't worry if you or the person you're helping cannot afford the fee. Form I-912 fee waivers are still available, but you will need to provide substantial evidence of hardship, such as bank statements, an affidavit of income and expenses, or proof of public assistance.

Work Permit Holders
Do you long for your first job? The cost of an initial Employment Authorization Document is now $550, and renewals cost $275. You can avoid paying twice if you are eligible to combine your I-765 with another application, such as a status adjustment. Additionally, keep in mind that if you meet the income threshold, fee waivers also apply here.

Special Immigrant Juveniles
The cost of the I-360 petition for children under court-ordered guardianship looking for a route to residency is $250. Pro bono lawyers and nonprofits that provide legal aid should think about applying for grants or sponsorships to assist families in paying for this. Additionally, keep in mind that fingerprint and biometric services are still charged separately.

 

Four Tips to Stay Ahead of the Curve

1. Revise Your Checklist
   Update staff policies and intake forms to reflect the new costs. Every application is sent out with the appropriate payment, so there won't be any surprises at the malpractice hearing.
2. Early Waiver Screen
   Include screenings for financial hardship in your initial meeting. To prevent last-minute scrambles, begin collecting documentation as soon as a client qualifies.
3. Establish Reminders for Renewal
   Both TPS and EAD approvals have expiration dates. To prevent status lapses, set up automated reminders for 90, 60, and 30 days prior to the end of a work permit or TPS period.
4. The inflation budget
   Every year, USCIS will adjust fees to reflect inflation. Include a 5–10% buffer in your office financial plans or client budgets so that you can handle small increases stress-free.

 

Real Stories, Real Costs

Take Maria, who submitted an asylum application in 2023. Her I-589 was free at the time, but after her case lasted more than a year, she found herself in debt of $100 to keep it running. Or Jamal, who needed a new work permit under I-765 because his student visa status changed. In order to bundle fees and save hundreds of dollars, he decided to investigate an adjustment of status route after experiencing a $550 sticker shock.

Narratives such as theirs highlight the impact that these fee adjustments have on local communities. They are minor annoyances to some. For others, they may mean the difference between legal status and an unanticipated return to uncertainty.

 

Looking Forward

Every July, USCIS intends to review its fee schedule. This implies that another round of modest increases based on inflation may be implemented next summer. Use the Federal Register or USCIS news alerts to stay up to date, and get in touch with local bar associations or immigrant advocacy groups to voice your concerns if fees jeopardize your right to justice.

 

 

Your Next Steps

• If you’re in the middle of a pending case, verify your postmark date—and double-check you included the new fee.
• Visit USCIS.gov for detailed fee waiver instructions.
• Talk with your attorney or advisor about the best strategy to bundle applications.
• Share this article with friends, colleagues, or community groups so no one gets caught unawares.

Knowledge is power in a constantly changing immigration environment. You can keep your journey—and your clients—on track by anticipating fee changes and making proactive plans.