Impact of US Travel and Immigration Fee Hike on Indians

The United States will implement increased travel and immigration-related fees starting January 1, 2026, due to inflation adjustments mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1). This law requires the Department of Homeland Security to revise certain fees annually.

These changes apply to systems like the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS), the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and parole fees for non-citizens granted temporary entry into the U.S. on humanitarian or other urgent grounds. EVUS applies only to Chinese travelers, and ESTA is part of the Visa Waiver Program which excludes Indian passport holders. However, some Indian applicants, especially those applying for parole, may see a slight rise in costs.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that the fee for Form I-94, which logs foreign travelers’ arrivals and departures, will remain at $30 for FY 2026. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported the following revised fees:

• Parole fee: increased to $1,020 (about ₹90,300)
• ESTA fee: raised to $40.27
• EVUS fee: increased to $30.75

Other updated forms and fees include:

• Asylum application fee: $102
• Form I-765 (initial asylum/parole/TPS EAD): $560
• Form I-765 (renewal EAD for parole/TPS): $280
• Form I-131 Part 9 (EAD on re-parole): $280
• Form I-821 (TPS application): $510

Though not all Indian applicants will be affected, individuals applying for parole or specific authorizations may encounter higher charges starting 2026.

US immigration fees,ESTA,parole,EVUS,Indian visa applicants