US immigration fees rise effective today: What Indians applying for work permits and other benefits need to know

Applying for an immigration benefit in the USA can involve several costs, from application fees to charges for work authorisation. For Indians living in the country or seeking to regularise their immigration status, knowing which fees apply to their case is important, particularly when filing deadlines and payment requirements can affect how an application is processed.

Effective from today, certain US immigration fees have increased under an annual inflation adjustment linked to the H.R. 1 law. The revision covers specific applications related to asylum, employment authorisation, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and immigration parole. However, it does not mean that every Indian visa holder or green card applicant will face a higher fee.

Also read: US raises select immigration fees for FY 2027, new charges from October 16


Which US immigration fees have increased?

The revised charges apply to four categories of immigration benefits, with increases ranging from $3 to $30.

Immigration benefit	Previous fee	New fee
Initial work authorisation for certain asylum applicants, parolees and TPS holders	$560	$570
Annual asylum fee	$102	$105
Temporary Protected Status application	$510	$520
Immigration parole fee	$1,020	$1,050

The increases follow an annual inflation adjustment under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as H.R. 1. The law provides for certain immigration-related fees to be adjusted annually to account for inflation. Applications covered by the revision and postmarked on or after October 16 must include the new fee.

Who among Indians in the US could be affected?

The impact depends on the immigration benefit an individual is seeking.

Asylum applicants: Indians seeking asylum in the US may have to pay the revised annual asylum fee of $105, where applicable. This is separate from the charge for an initial employment authorisation application.

Also read: MIT, Harvard, Yale among 9 US universities under J-1 visa fraud probe as US alleges wage undercutting

Temporary Protected Status applicants: Eligible Indians applying for TPS will face the revised application fee of $520. Those applying for initial work authorisation under this category may also be liable for the separate employment authorisation fee.

Certain parole beneficiaries: Indians applying for immigration parole may face the revised $1,050 charge. Eligible parole beneficiaries applying for initial work authorisation may also have to pay the applicable employment authorisation fee.

These charges cover different benefits and should not automatically be added together. The amount payable depends on the application, the individual's circumstances and any applicable exemptions.

Will H-1B workers and green card applicants pay more?

Not directly because of this particular revision. Indian professionals working in the US on H-1B visas are not affected simply because they hold that status. Similarly, Indians applying for employment-based or family-sponsored green cards do not automatically have to pay any of the four revised fees.

However, this does not mean that all US immigration fees remain unchanged. H.R. 1 introduced other immigration-related charges, and separate changes may apply to other visa and immigration categories. Applicants should distinguish this October 16 revision from other changes to US immigration costs.

What should applicants check before filing?

The revised fees apply to covered requests postmarked on or after October 16, 2026. Applicants should check the latest instructions from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before submitting their paperwork.

They should confirm the fee for the specific benefit, check whether work authorisation or parole involves a separate charge, verify accepted payment methods and exemptions, and ensure that the correct amount accompanies the application.

For Indians navigating the US immigration system, the increases are relatively modest in dollar terms. The more important consideration is whether their particular application falls within the revised categories. Paying the wrong amount could lead to a rejected filing and delays in processing.