New USCIS Fee Schedule 2026: What Changed and What It Means for Your Case

If you are planning to file an immigration application in 2026, the cost of doing so has changed — and in most cases, increased. Between the January 2026 inflation adjustments and the new statutory fees imposed by H.R. 1 (the Laken Riley Act reconciliation bill), immigrants and their families are facing a more expensive and more confusing fee landscape than ever before. Understanding exactly what you owe before you file is essential, because submitting the wrong payment will result in your application being rejected outright.

This guide breaks down the current USCIS fee schedule for 2026, compares old and new fees for the most common immigration forms, explains the new H.R. 1 statutory fees, covers fee waivers and who qualifies, and provides practical tips for budgeting your immigration costs — especially for families in California, where the high cost of living makes every dollar count.

Whether you are filing a family-based green card petition, applying for naturalization, or renewing your employment authorization, this is what you need to know.

What Changed: Two Layers of Fee Increases

The 2026 fee landscape is more complicated than in previous years because there are now two separate sources of fees for many immigration applications:

1. USCIS Regulatory Fees (the “base” filing fee): These are the standard fees set by USCIS through its fee rule, last significantly updated in April 2024. On January 1, 2026, USCIS applied inflation adjustments to certain statutory fees based on a 2.70% increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) from July 2024 to July 2025.
2. H.R. 1 Statutory Fees (new in 2025–2026): The legislation signed into law on July 4, 2025, created additional fees for certain immigration forms — most notably asylum applications, employment authorization documents (EADs), parole applications, and TPS applications. These statutory fees are on top of the existing USCIS regulatory fees and cannot be waived.

This two-layer system means that for some applications, you are now paying two separate fees. Understanding which fees apply to your specific form — and which can be waived — is critical.

2026 USCIS Fee Table: Common Immigration Forms

The following table shows the current 2026 fees for the most commonly filed immigration forms. Where applicable, both the USCIS regulatory fee and the H.R. 1 statutory fee are listed.

Important Note: USCIS published an updated G-1055 Fee Schedule on February 13, 2026, pausing the collection of certain H.R. 1 fees for Form I-131, Form I-589, and Form I-765. This pause may be temporary. Always check the current G-1055 fee schedule at uscis.gov before filing any application.

Understanding the new fee structure helps you plan and budget for your case

The H.R. 1 Statutory Fees: What You Need to Know

The H.R. 1 legislation created several new fees that did not exist before 2025. These fees are particularly impactful for asylum seekers, TPS holders, and parolees.

Asylum Application Fee (Form I-589)

This is a significant change. For decades, asylum applications were free, recognizing that people fleeing persecution often arrive with limited resources. The new fee has drawn sharp criticism from immigration advocates and legal organizations.

As of February 13, 2026, USCIS has paused collection of the H.R. 1 asylum fee pending further developments. However, this pause could be lifted at any time. If you are preparing to file an asylum application, consult with an attorney about the current fee status.

Employment Authorization (EAD) Statutory Fees

H.R. 1 imposed new statutory fees for EADs filed by asylum seekers, parolees, and TPS holders. These fees are separate from (and in addition to) any existing USCIS regulatory filing fee:

• Asylum-based EAD (initial): $560
• Asylum-based EAD (renewal): $275
• Parole-based EAD (initial): $560
• Parole-based EAD (renewal): $280
• TPS-based EAD (initial): $560
• TPS-based EAD (renewal): $280

USCIS paused collection of H.R. 1 fees for I-765 (EAD) as of February 13, 2026. Check the current fee schedule before filing.

Parole Fee

The H.R. 1 parole fee is $1,020 as of January 1, 2026 (inflation-adjusted from $1,000). This applies to certain parole applications filed on Form I-131. Collection of this fee was also paused as of February 13, 2026.

TPS Application Fee (Form I-821)

The TPS application fee increased from $500 to $510 as of January 1, 2026, reflecting the CPI-U inflation adjustment.

Fee Waivers: Who Qualifies and What Is Covered

Given the rising costs, fee waivers are more important than ever — especially in California, where the cost of living makes it difficult for many immigrant families to afford filing fees on top of rent, food, and other expenses.

Form I-912: Request for Fee Waiver

USCIS allows fee waivers for many (but not all) immigration applications through Form I-912. You may qualify if:

• You or a qualifying family member receives a means-tested benefit such as Medicaid/Medi-Cal, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/CalFresh), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/CalWORKs)
• Your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (for 2026, this is approximately $23,895 for a household of one, or $49,025 for a household of four in the 48 contiguous states)
• You are experiencing extreme financial hardship due to extraordinary expenses such as medical bills, disability, or sudden loss of income

Which Forms Accept Fee Waivers?

Fee waivers are available for many common applications, including:

• Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status)
• Form N-400 (Naturalization)
• Form I-765 (EAD) — the USCIS regulatory fee only
• Form I-90 (Green Card Renewal)
• Form I-751 (Remove Conditions)

Which Forms Do NOT Accept Fee Waivers?

• DACA requests — there is no fee waiver available for DACA
• H.R. 1 statutory fees — the new statutory fees imposed by H.R. 1 cannot be waived or reduced, even if you qualify for a waiver of the USCIS regulatory fee. This means that even if your base filing fee is waived, you may still owe the statutory fee.
• Premium processing fees (Form I-907)
• Immigrant visa fees paid to the Department of State

How to Apply for a Fee Waiver

1. Complete Form I-912 and attach supporting documentation (benefit award letters, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, etc.)
2. Submit Form I-912 together with your immigration application — you cannot submit it separately after filing
3. If USCIS denies the fee waiver, your entire application package will be rejected, and you will need to refile with the full fee

Premium Processing: Faster Decisions for a Price

Premium processing allows applicants to pay an additional fee for expedited adjudication — typically a decision within 15 to 45 business days, depending on the form. As of March 1, 2026, the premium processing fees are:

Premium processing is filed using Form I-907 and must be paid separately from the base filing fee. Premium processing fees cannot be waived.

Not all categories within each form are eligible for premium processing. For example, premium processing for I-765 is available for certain EAD categories but not all. Consult the USCIS website or an immigration attorney to confirm eligibility for your specific case.

California-Specific Considerations: Why Fee Waivers Matter Here

California has the highest cost of living of any large state, and many immigrant families in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, San Diego, and Orange County are already stretching their budgets thin. When a single green card application can cost well over $1,000 in filing fees alone — before attorney fees — the financial burden is real.

Here are some California-specific factors to keep in mind:

Higher Federal Poverty Guidelines Apply in Some Cases

While the standard Federal Poverty Guidelines apply to California (unlike Alaska and Hawaii, which have separate, higher guidelines), California’s actual cost of living is far above what the poverty guidelines reflect. If you are applying for a fee waiver based on financial hardship (the third prong of I-912 eligibility), you can document California-specific costs such as high rent, utility bills, and healthcare expenses to support your case.

Medi-Cal Enrollment Supports Fee Waivers

If you are enrolled in Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid program), this alone may be sufficient to qualify for a fee waiver under the means-tested benefit criterion. Keep your Medi-Cal benefit verification letter — it serves as strong evidence for Form I-912.

CalFresh (SNAP) Enrollment

Similarly, enrollment in CalFresh (California’s SNAP program) qualifies you for a fee waiver. Save your enrollment verification documents.

Community Organizations Can Help

Many legal aid organizations in California — including those in San Diego, Los Angeles, and the Bay Area — can help you prepare fee waiver requests and immigration applications at no cost. If you cannot afford filing fees, reach out to a legal aid organization before assuming you have to pay full price.

Tips for Budgeting Your Immigration Costs

Immigration is an investment in your future, but it requires financial planning. Here are practical tips for managing costs:

1. File Online When Possible

USCIS offers reduced fees for online filing on several forms, including I-130 ($625 online vs. $675 paper) and I-90 ($415 online vs. $465 paper). The savings may seem modest, but they add up across multiple filings.

2. Apply for Fee Waivers Early

Do not wait until the last minute to prepare your fee waiver. Gather your supporting documents (tax returns, benefit letters, pay stubs) well in advance. If your fee waiver is denied, you will need time to refile with the full fee before any deadlines pass.

3. Understand What Is Included

Some fees cover multiple benefits. For example, the I-485 fee ($1,440) includes biometrics and, for applicants who filed on or after April 1, 2024, a reduced I-765 (EAD) fee of $260 if filed concurrently. Understanding these bundled fees can help you avoid overpaying.

4. Beware of Scams

Never pay immigration fees to anyone other than USCIS directly (via check, money order, or online through the USCIS website). Fraudulent “consultants” sometimes collect fees and pocket them without ever filing your application.

5. Plan for the Full Timeline

Many immigration processes involve multiple filings over months or years. For example, a marriage-based green card involves Form I-130, Form I-485, Form I-765, and eventually Form I-751 — plus potential costs for medical exams, document translations, and certified copies. Map out the full process and its costs from the beginning so you are not caught off guard.

6. Check for H.R. 1 Fee Pauses Before Filing

As of February 2026, USCIS has paused collection of certain H.R. 1 fees. This situation is fluid and could change at any time. Before filing any application that may be subject to H.R. 1 fees, check the latest version of the G-1055 fee schedule on uscis.gov.

7. Budget for the Medical Exam

The immigration medical exam (Form I-693) is required for most adjustment of status (I-485) applications and is not included in the USCIS filing fee. In California, civil surgeons typically charge between $200 and $500 for the exam, depending on location and what vaccinations are needed. This is an out-of-pocket cost that many applicants forget to account for. Some community health centers offer the exam at reduced rates — ask your attorney or legal aid provider for referrals.

8. Save for Document Translation and Certification Costs

If your supporting documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, police records) are not in English, you will need certified translations. Professional translation services typically charge $25 to $75 per page. You may also need certified copies of certain documents, which can involve fees from foreign consulates or state vital records offices. Factor these costs into your overall budget from the start.

Common Fee Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

USCIS is strict about fees. If you submit the wrong amount, your entire application package will be rejected and returned to you. Here are the most common fee-related mistakes to avoid:

Submitting the Old Fee Amount

If your application is postmarked on or after January 1, 2026, you must pay the 2026 fee. Applications postmarked before that date use the prior fee schedule. The date on your mailing label or postmark controls — not the date you signed the application. Double-check the current G-1055 fee schedule immediately before mailing your application.

Forgetting the Asylum Program Fee

If you are filing Form I-140 (employment-based immigration petition), you must include the Asylum Program Fee in addition to the base I-140 fee. The amount depends on your employer size: $600 for standard employers, $300 for small employers (25 or fewer full-time employees), and $0 for nonprofits. Omitting this fee will result in rejection.

Using the Wrong Payment Method

USCIS accepts checks, money orders, and credit/debit card payments (for online filings). If paying by check, make it payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.” Do not use cash. Do not use abbreviated names. A returned check will cause your application to be rejected and may incur additional fees.

Not Separating Premium Processing Payment

If you are filing Form I-907 for premium processing along with your underlying application, the premium processing fee must be submitted as a separate payment from the base filing fee. Combining them into a single check will result in rejection.

Assuming a Fee Waiver Will Be Approved

If you submit a fee waiver (Form I-912) and it is denied, your entire application package is rejected. You do not get a second chance to pay — you must refile from scratch. If you are uncertain about whether your fee waiver will be approved, consider submitting the full fee instead and saving the fee waiver attempt for situations where you have strong qualifying evidence (such as documented enrollment in Medi-Cal or CalFresh).

We help clients understand fee waivers and payment options for every filing

What This Means for You

The 2026 USCIS fee changes add a layer of complexity to an already complicated immigration system. The combination of regulatory fee increases, new H.R. 1 statutory fees, and the recent pause on certain fee collections means that the amount you owe depends heavily on when you file, what form you are filing, and your specific eligibility category.

For most applicants, the bottom line is this: immigration is getting more expensive. The I-130 is up from $535 to $625. Asylum applicants face fees for the first time. EAD renewals for TPS holders, parolees, and asylum seekers now carry significant statutory fees on top of existing regulatory fees.

But there are strategies to manage these costs. Fee waivers remain available for the USCIS regulatory portion of many applications. Online filing provides modest savings. And understanding the full timeline of your immigration process allows you to budget realistically rather than being surprised by each new form.

The most important step you can take is consulting with a knowledgeable immigration attorney before filing. An attorney can help you determine exactly which fees apply, whether you qualify for a waiver, and how to avoid costly mistakes like submitting the wrong fee amount — which will result in your application being rejected and returned.

How Bueno Immigration Can Help

At Bueno Immigration, we help clients across California navigate the immigration system — including the increasingly complex fee landscape. Our team stays current on every fee change, waiver policy, and filing requirement so that you do not have to.

We serve families and individuals in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, the Central Valley, and throughout the state. We offer consultations in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to ensure every client can discuss their case in the language they are most comfortable with.

Whether you need help filing a green card application, understanding your fee waiver options, or planning the full cost of your immigration process, we are here to guide you.

Schedule a confidential consultation with our team today. Call (415) 582-1608 or visit our contact page.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and fact-specific. For advice about your individual situation, please consult with a qualified immigration attorney. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.