US Immigration and Travel Fees Set for Increase in 2026

The United States will raise several travel and immigration fees starting January 1, 2026. This adjustment is mandated by federal law and tied to inflation. The changes affect programs like ESTA and specific application forms for asylum and work permits.The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the updates. This is part of a routine, congressionally approved annual process.

Who Will Feel the Impact of the New Fees?

Not every traveler or applicant will see a change. The fee for the common Form I-94 will remain at $30. According to Reuters, the increases target specific programs and applications.Indian nationals, for instance, are largely unaffected by the ESTA fee change. India is not part of the Visa Waiver Program. However, Indians applying for certain parole statuses will see a slight cost increase.Parole allows temporary entry to the U.S. without a visa. It is often granted for urgent humanitarian reasons.

A Detailed Look at the Revised Fee Structure

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the new rates. The notice was published in the Federal Register. The parole fee is rising from $1,000 to $1,020.The ESTA fee is increasing by $0.27 to $40.27. The EVUS fee, for Chinese nationals, will be $30.75. Other forms are also seeing adjustments.Fees for forms related to asylum and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are going up. For example, the initial fee for a TPS application (Form I-821) is now $510. Work permit applications connected to these statuses are also more expensive. These changes add to the overall cost for applicants in these specific categories.

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The upcoming fee adjustments highlight the increasing costs associated with U.S. immigration processes. Applicants should budget accordingly for these changes taking effect in 2026.

Info at your fingertips

When do the new US immigration fees start?

The new fee structure officially takes effect on January 1, 2026. All applications received on or after that date will be subject to the revised costs.

Will the I-94 fee increase?

No, the fee for the Form I-94 will remain unchanged. It will stay at its current rate of $30 for the 2026 fiscal year.

Do the new fees affect Indian H-1B or L-1 visa applicants?

No, the standard application fees for H-1B and L-1 visas are not part of this specific announcement. This update primarily impacts ESTA, parole, and humanitarian-based applications.

What is the new fee for an ESTA application?

The ESTA fee will increase to $40.27. This is a minor rise of twenty-seven cents from the current $40 fee.

Why are these fees being increased?

The U.S. government adjusts these fees annually based on inflation. The change is authorized by existing federal legislation to help cover administrative costs.