Key Insights on Upcoming US Immigration Fee Hike for Travelers

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The United States will increase several travel and immigration-related fees starting January 1, 2026, as part of its annual inflation-based update. This update aligns with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), passed on July 4, 2025, which mandates the Department of Homeland Security to adjust charges yearly according to inflation indexes.

The updated fees impact systems like the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS), Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and parole applications. While ESTA does not apply to Indian passport holders since India isn’t part of the Visa Waiver Program, travelers using parole to enter the U.S. will see a minor cost increase.

Parole allows short-term entry into the U.S. for urgent or public interest reasons without a visa. As of FY 2026, the I-94 form fee, which documents the arrival/departure of visitors, remains unchanged at $30.

Effective January 1, 2026, these changes will be implemented:

• Parole fee increases from $1,000 to $1,020 (approx. ₹90,300)
• ESTA fee rises from $40 to $40.27 (not applicable to Indian citizens)
• EVUS fee for Chinese B-1/B-2 visa holders increases from $30 to $30.75

Additional fee adjustments for various immigration forms include:

• Asylum application: $102 (up from $100)
• Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for asylum, TPS, and parole cases rise to $560 for new applications and $280 for renewals
• TPS application fee increases from $500 to $510

The HR-1 bill also introduces a new “visa integrity fee” and raises charges on money remittances abroad, potentially impacting immigrants sending funds to home countries.

visa fee increase, US immigration 2026, parole fee hike, ESTA update, One Big Beautiful Bill
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