Quick Summary: A federal law signed on July 4, 2025 added new minimum fees to several immigration applications, immigration court filings, appeals, and travel-related processes. These charges are separate from existing filing fees. If you have an immigration case in progress or plan to file an application, it is important to review the possible cost before you submit anything.

The information below summarizes the fee update described in a July 23, 2025 American Immigration Lawyers Association flyer. It is intended to help applicants, families, and employers understand the types of matters that may be affected in plain language. It is not legal advice, and the correct fee for a particular case depends on the application and filing process involved.

What Changed

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act authorized additional immigration-related fees. According to the flyer, these fees are added on top of fees that applicants may already pay. Many of the new charges cannot be waived or reduced, and the amounts may increase over time because of inflation.

The timing of collection did not begin at the same time for every fee. Immigration court filing and appeal fees were announced for collection beginning July 9, 2025. USCIS announced that fees related to asylum, employment authorization, Temporary Protected Status, and Special Immigrant Juvenile applications would be required for applications filed on or after July 22, 2025. The flyer states that collection of certain other fees was delayed while the government updated its payment process.

Fees That May Affect Asylum Applicants

People applying for asylum may face several new charges. The listed minimum fee for an asylum application is $100. The flyer also describes a $100 annual fee for a pending asylum application.

Applicants who need permission to work while their asylum case is pending may also need to budget for employment authorization document fees. The listed minimum fee is $550 for an initial work permit and $275 for a renewal or extension.

These charges can affect planning for a family because an asylum case may remain pending for a long time. It is important to understand which fees apply to your filing, when payment is required, and whether a work permit request is part of your case.

Parole, TPS, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Filings

The new fee schedule also includes several humanitarian immigration processes. A parole application is listed with a $1,000 minimum fee. For parolees seeking work authorization, the flyer lists $550 for an initial work permit and $275 for a renewal or extension. Those work permits are described as limited to one year.

For Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, the listed application fee is $500. Initial work authorization for TPS applicants is listed at $550, while renewal or extension of work authorization for TPS holders is listed at $275. These work permits are also described as limited to one year.

A Special Immigrant Juvenile application is listed with a $250 minimum fee. This category may involve children and young people with very specific circumstances, so families should seek legal guidance before making decisions about a filing.

Immigration Court Cases and Appeals May Cost More

People who have a matter in immigration court may see some of the largest new charges. The flyer lists a $1,500 fee for an adjustment of status filing in immigration court and a $1,050 fee for a waiver of grounds of inadmissibility.

Other listed court-related fees include $500 for a TPS application, $600 for an application for suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal, and $1,500 for cancellation of removal and adjustment of status for certain non-permanent residents. The flyer lists a $5,000 fee for individuals removed in absentia.

Appeals and motions may also have a significant cost. The flyer lists a $900 fee for an appeal of an immigration judge decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals, a $900 fee related to a DHS officer decision, and a $900 fee for a motion to reopen or reconsider an immigration judge or Board of Immigration Appeals decision.

Other Travel and Visa-Related Charges

Several fees in the update relate to travel, visas, and entry documents. The flyer lists a $250 Visa Integrity Fee for nonimmigrant visa issuance. It lists a $24 fee for a Form I-94 application, a $40 ESTA fee for Visa Waiver Program applicants, and a $30 EVUS fee for Chinese B-1/B-2 visa holders.

The flyer also lists a $5,000 fee for inadmissible individuals arrested between ports of entry. Because travel and admission issues can depend on a person’s immigration history and individual circumstances, it is especially important not to assume that a general fee chart answers every question about a specific case.

Practical Steps to Take Before You File

First, identify the immigration benefit, court filing, appeal, or travel process you are considering. Then review whether the update describes a new fee for that type of matter. Remember that the amounts in the flyer are minimum fees and may be in addition to existing charges.

Second, do not wait until the last minute to plan for filing costs. A new fee may affect the timing of an application, work permit request, appeal, or court filing. Collect the documents you need and ask about the expected filing costs before you submit paperwork.

Third, get advice for your own situation. Immigration rules and payment procedures can be detailed, and the right next step depends on the exact type of matter you have. Ventresca & Ventresca LLP helps clients understand important immigration updates and prepare for time-sensitive decisions.

FAQ

Are these fees replacing existing immigration filing fees?

No. The flyer states that the new fees are in addition to fees that applicants already pay.

Can these new fees be waived?

The flyer says that most of the new fees cannot be waived or reduced. Whether a particular fee applies in a specific case should be reviewed carefully before filing.

When did the new fees begin?

The flyer describes different start dates for different fees. It states that immigration court filing and appeal fees were announced for collection beginning July 9, 2025, while certain USCIS-related fees were required for applications filed on or after July 22, 2025.

Will the fee amounts stay the same?

The flyer states that these fees will increase annually because of inflation.

What should I do if I have a pending or planned immigration matter?

Review the possible fee impact promptly with an immigration attorney. Early planning can help you understand the costs connected to your particular application, court filing, appeal, or travel-related process.

If this fee update may affect a pending or planned immigration matter, contact Ventresca & Ventresca LLP to discuss your situation and request a consultation.