Archive · 2 Jan 2026
US Hikes Immigration Fees, Ends Paper Payments
The US government has increased some immigration fees and stopped accepting paper checks and money orders.
Starting January 1, 2026, immigrants must pay the new fees using ACH debit or credit/debit cards.
Some fees have gone up, like the Annual Asylum Application Fee to $102, but it's currently on hold due to a court order.
Other fees, like the I-589 Asylum Fee, remain the same.
The changes are due to inflation adjustments required by a law called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
If immigrants don't pay the correct fee or use the right payment method, their forms won't be accepted.
US increases certain immigration fees effective January 1, 2026, due to inflation adjustments.
Paper checks and money orders are no longer accepted for immigration fees; ACH debit or credit/debit cards are required.
Annual Asylum Application Fee raised to $102 (currently stayed via court order).
Fees for various forms, including I-765 and I-821, have been adjusted, while others like I-589 remain unchanged.
Failure to use accepted payment methods or pay the correct fee will result in form rejection.
- Who
- US immigrants and applicants
- What
- Increase in immigration fees and discontinuation of paper check and money order payments
- When
- Effective January 1, 2026
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Inflation adjustments mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1)
- Effective Date
- January 1, 2026
- Annual Asylum Application Fee
- $102 (stayed via court order)
- Form I-765 (Initial Asylum Applicant EAD)
- $560
- Form I-765 (Initial Parole EAD)
- $560
- Form I-765 (Renewal or Extension of Parole EAD)
- $280
- Form I-765 (Initial TPS EAD)
- $560
- Form I-765 (Renewal or Extension of TPS EAD)
- $280
- Form I-131, Part 9 (EAD requested upon authorization of a new period of Parole)
- $280
- Form I-821 (Application for TPS)
- $510
- Accepted Payment Methods
- ACH debit transaction or credit/debit card