USCIS announces immigration fee increases starting January 1, 2026.
The USCIS fee increase 2026 will affect immigration applicants nationwide beginning January 1, 2026. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that several immigration-related application fees will rise due to inflation between July 2024 and July 2025. These changes may impact visa applicants, Green Card filers, and individuals applying for work authorization or family sponsorship.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced upcoming increases to certain immigration-related application fees effective January 1, 2026. These changes are required under federal law and reflect inflation that occurred between July 2024 and July 2025.
The USCIS fee increase 2026 applies to select fees established under H.R. 1 and will be adjusted annually starting in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These adjustments are designed to account for the rising cost of labor, technology, security improvements, and administrative services required to process applications efficiently and securely.
If you submit an immigration application or petition that requires one of the affected fees on or after January 1, 2026, you must include the updated, inflation-adjusted amount. Filing with the old fee may result in your application being rejected or returned, which can lead to processing delays and missed deadlines.
USCIS has published a complete list of updated fees in the Federal Register, which applicants should review carefully before submitting any forms in 2026. This is especially important for applicants filing for work authorization, permanent residency, family sponsorship, or employment-based benefits.
How to prepare for the USCIS fee increase 2026:
- Review the updated USCIS fee list before applying
- File early to avoid paying higher fees
- Double-check payment methods and mailing dates
- Save proof of payment
- Use official USCIS resources only
Staying informed about immigration policy changes can help you avoid mistakes and protect your application timeline.
You can access the list from the USCIS provided Table. Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization – Initial Parole EAD : Previous fee : $ 550, New Fee: $560 ; Form I-131, Part 9 – EAD requested upon authorization of a new period of Parole (Re-parole) Previous fee : $ 275, New Fee: $280