USCIS Filing Fees Go Up on October 16, 2026: What to Check Before You Mail

Starting October 16, 2026, USCIS is raising several filing fees. The new amounts apply to forms postmarked on or after that date. If your package has the old amount, USCIS can reject it, and you may lose time you cannot easily get back. The change is part of a yearly inflation update under H.R. 1, the law many people call the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. USCIS published the notice in the Federal Register on October 1, 2026. Its official citation is 91 FR 62540. The adjustment reflects about 3.36 percent inflation between July 2025 and July 2026. Which fees go up? The annual asylum fee, which people with a pending asylum case pay each year, rises from $102 to $105. The first work permit (Form I-765) for asylum applicants, parolees and TPS holders rises from $560 to $570. The TPS application (Form I-821) rises from $510 to $520. The immigration parole fee (Form I-131) rises from $1,020 to $1,050. Some law firms explain that this fee follows the date parole is granted, so it applies to parole granted on or after October 16, 2026, no matter when the request was mailed. Which fees stay the same? The $100 initial asylum application fee does not change. Work permit renewal fees also stay the same: $275 for asylum applicants and $280 for parole and TPS holders. The $250 fee for Special Immigrant Juvenile petitions and the $24 fee tied to Form I-94 also stay the same. The key date is the postmark. Envelopes postmarked on or before October 15, 2026 can still use the current amounts. Envelopes postmarked on or after October 16 need the new amount for any form that changed. The notice states that a benefit request without the proper fee will be rejected. What this means for you: If you plan to file any of these forms soon, check the fee amount before you mail. Use the official USCIS fee page for your exact form, and compare it with the amount in your check or payment. Keep your mailing receipt, because the postmark date decides which fee applies. If you already mailed a package before October 16, the old fee should be correct for that filing. If you are unsure about your case, which forms you need, or how a fee change affects your timing, talk to an immigration attorney or a accredited representative. Do not wait until the last day to mail an important form. The increases are small, but a rejected package can still cost time and money. Many families are also paying for several forms at once, so a few extra dollars per form can add up. Take a few minutes to review your checklist before you send anything. This article is general information, not legal advice. Sources: Federal Register: Fiscal Year 2027 Inflation Adjustment to H.R. 1 Immigration Fees: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/01/2026-20187/fiscal-year-2027-inflation-adjustment-to-hr-1-immigration-fees AILA: USCIS Notice of FY27 Adjustment of Certain Immigration Fees for Inflation under H.R. 1: https://www.aila.org/library/uscis-91-fr-62540-10-1-26 USCIS Announces FY 2027 Inflation-Adjusted Immigration Fee Increases: https://www.envoyglobal.com/news-alert/uscis-announces-fy-2027-inflation-adjusted-immigration-fee-increases/ USCIS Fee Increases Take Effect October 16, 2026: https://www.nnuimmigration.com/uscis-fee-increases-take-effect-october-16-2026/ Photo: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash