Beginning January 1, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement one of the most significant revisions to immigration-related fees in recent years. These adjustments were announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with updates scheduled to be reflected in a Federal Register notice.
These fee adjustments are designed to help USCIS recover full costs of processing applications, respond to demand, and keep pace with annual inflation adjustments tied to the consumer price index. For applicants, the key takeaway is simple: knowing the updated fee schedule and filing rules is critical to avoid delays, rejections, or lapses in important benefits.
At The Abbasi Immigration Law Firm, we are closely monitoring these developments to ensure applicants understand the changes and avoid delays or rejected filings.
Why Are USCIS Fees Increasing?
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, USCIS must offset its operating costs through filing fees. According to DHS, the fees currently collected do not cover full cost resulting in processing delays, workforce shortages, and a backlog of pending applications.
The new fee increases will help USCIS:
Improve processing times
Reduce backlog
Expand staffing
Modernize technology
Maintain safe and accurate immigration services
In other words, while filing fees are rising, the change is intended to improve the system overall.
What Types of Fees Are Changing?
The fee changes will affect a wide range of USCIS services, including:
The revised fee schedule will affect:
Naturalization (citizenship) applications
Employment authorization documents (EADs/work permits)
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) filings
Employer petitions (such as I-129 and I-140 filings)
Certain asylum-related applications
A new annual asylum program fee will be introduced, affecting certain employers and organizations.
Applicants must pay the correct fee and use the latest edition of forms beginning in 2026. USCIS may reject filings submitted with outdated forms or incorrect fees.
Understanding Fee Increases
The fee increases will affect employment authorization, filing fees, and other immigration-related fees.
The changes include a new Asylum Program Fee and adjustments to filing fees for various forms.
Fee waivers and exemptions will be available based on financial hardship or specific humanitarian categories.
Applicants should review the new fee schedule to understand the changes and plan accordingly.
The fee increases will help USCIS cover its full operational costs and reduce backlogs.
Employment Authorization and Work Permits
Applicants filing for or renewing EADs should expect fee increases beginning in 2026. This will impact:
TPS applicants
Asylum applicants
Certain students
Parole beneficiaries
Family members of certain visa holders
Paying the wrong fee is one of the most common reasons applications are rejected. Applicants should use the updated USCIS online fee calculator and verify official amounts published in the fee schedule.
Submitting renewals early is highly recommended to avoid work authorization gaps.
Automatic Extensions
Automatic extensions for employment authorization documents will continue, but eligibility will vary depending on the category. Some individuals may receive longer or shorter grace periods depending on the new rules.
Applicants should:
File early for renewals
Confirm eligibility for automatic extension
Understand how rules apply to spouses and dependents
Planning ahead is essential to avoid gaps in work authorization.
Fee Waivers and Exemptions
Not every applicant will pay more. Fee waivers will still be available for:
Low-income applicants
Certain humanitarian cases
Some naturalization applicants
Select parole and asylum-related filings
USCIS will continue evaluating fee waiver requests case-by-case basis, and eligibility requirements will be clearly outlined in the 2026 fee schedule.
If you believe you may qualify,The Abbasi Immigration Law Firm can help assess eligibility and prepare supporting documentation.
Electronic Payment Only: No More Paper Checks
One of the most important process changes starting in 2026 is that USCIS will no longer accept paper checks. Instead, payments must be made electronically using:
Debit card
ACH debit
This change aims to reduce errors, prevent delays, and streamline processing. Applicants should ensure they have a valid payment method before filing.
Edition Date and Form Requirements
Beginning in 2026, applicants must use the latest edition dates of forms. The updated forms will reflect:
New fees
Electronic payment instructions
Updated filing requirements
Submitting an outdated form, even if accurate, may result in rejection.
It is critical to monitor the USCIS site for the most current forms and instructions.
Key Things Applicants Should Do Before Filing in 2026
To avoid delays or rejections, applicants should:
Use the correct updated forms
Confirm the proper filing fee
Prepare an approved electronic payment method
File early for renewals, especially EADs
Review eligibility for fee waivers or exemptions
Keep documentation showing when filings were postmarked
Knowing the rules before filing can help prevent unnecessary delays.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The USCIS fee changes launching in 2026 represent a major shift in how immigration applications are funded and processed. While these updates involve higher fees for many categories, they aim to reduce delays and improve system performance.
Understanding these changes early will help applicants prepare successfully, avoid rejections caused by outdated payment or form versions, and plan filings strategically.
If you have questions about:
Whether the new fees apply to your filing.
Calculating the correct fee.
Whether you qualify for a fee waiver.
How to avoid work authorization interruptions.
Don’t risk delays or rejections. Contact The Abbasi Immigration Law Firm to ensure your application is prepared correctly, with the updated forms, fees, and filing requirements for 2026.
