The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced new mandatory fees for those applying to live or work in the United States or seeking asylum. Missing these charges will lead to immediate rejection, with no warnings, RFEs, or second chances.
New Rules and Deadlines
These fees came into effect on July 22, 2025. From August 21, USCIS began officially returning any application without the required charges. This means applicants lose their original filing date and must restart the process entirely.
Updated Fee Structure
Applying for asylum and green cards now costs $100. On top of this, an extra $100 is charged every year while the case remains pending.
The Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for asylum seekers or temporary protected status holders now costs $550 for the first application and $275 for renewals.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications now cost $500, a sharp rise from the earlier $50. Applications for Special Immigrant Juveniles, who need protection in the US, are now $250.
No Waivers Allowed
Even applicants who usually qualify for fee waivers because of low income cannot escape these new mandatory charges. These costs are fixed and non-negotiable.
Risks of Missing Fees
Since USCIS is enforcing this strictly, missing any part of the fee could cause rejection. Applicants are advised to double-check their total charges before submitting forms.
Immigrants Facing Crackdown
These rules reflect the ongoing crackdown on immigrants. Authorities appear determined to make the process more difficult, with increased fees becoming another barrier or reason for rejection.
