USCIS raises prices for Work Permits and TPS: official list for 2026.

paola vanessa romero rondon
2 hours ago
4 min read

If you are planning to apply for or renew your work permit, TPS, or have a pending asylum case, there is very important news you should know. Due to a law pushed by the Trump administration, known as H.R.1 (or "One Big Beautiful Bill"), the prices of various immigration procedures will increase starting January 1, 2026.

We know that every dollar counts. That's why, in this article, we explain in simple terms why prices are going up, what the new fees are, and which procedures are exempt from the increase.

Why will prices rise in 2026?

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officially announced these changes. The main reason is inflation (the general increase in prices in the country).

H.R.1 stipulates that immigration fees must be adjusted each year in line with the cost of living. In this case, the increase reflects inflation between July 2024 and July 2025.

The key date is January 1, 2026. If you submit your application on or after that date, you must pay the new price. If you submit the old payment, USCIS may reject your application.

List of New Prices:

Below is a clear list of the procedures that are increasing in price. Please check carefully to see if your case is on this list.

Work Permits (Form I-765)

The employment authorization document (EAD) is one of the most affected.

Initial work permit for asylum seekers: Increases from $550 to $560.

Initial work permit for parole: Increases from $550 to $560.

Renewal of work permit by Parole: Increases from $275 to $280.

Initial work permit for TPS (Temporary Protected Status): Increases from $550 to $560.

Renewal of work permit for TPS: Increases from $275 to $280.

Permit after a new period of parole (Re-parole): Increases from $275 to $280.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) - Form I-821

TPS application: Increases from $500 to $510.

Political Asylum

Annual Asylum Application Fee: Increases from $100 to $102. (Note: This fee has been the subject of legal disputes, but the government plans to implement it in 2026).

Procedures that do NOT increase in price

Fortunately, USCIS has decided to maintain the current price for some important procedures for the time being:

Initial asylum application (Form I-589): Remains at $100.

Renewal of work permits for asylum seekers: Remains at $275.

Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa (Form I-360): Remains at $250.

Possible new fee of $1,000

It is important to note that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in October its intention to implement a new fee for certain parole cases.

This fee would be $1,000 and would also be subject to annual inflation adjustments. Although this proposal is required by H.R.1, we must remain vigilant until it becomes official.

What should you do now?

Check your dates: If you need to renew your work permit or TPS soon, try to submit your application before December 31, 2025, to take advantage of current prices.

Use the correct forms: USCIS will publish the final details on November 21. Be sure to always use the most recent version of the forms.

Pay the exact amount: Starting January 1, 2026, an error in the amount of the check or money order may cause the entire package to be returned to you.

SOURCE: El Nuevo Herald

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the new immigration fees:

1. When do the new prices take effect?

January 1, 2026. Any application postmarked on or after that date must bear the new price..

2. Has the price for renewing a work permit for asylum seekers increased?

No. The renewal of the work permit for those with pending asylum (category c(8)) remains at $275. Only the initial application (the first time) has increased.

3. What is H.R.1, or the "One Big Beautiful Bill"?

It is a law promoted by the Trump administration that, among other things, requires immigration fees to automatically increase each year based on inflation (the cost of living).

4. Where can I see the official list?

Full details will be available in the Federal Register starting Friday, November 21. We always recommend checking the prices on the official USCIS website before submitting any documents.

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