Immigration Fees Inch Up for Inflation Under New HR-1 Law
Published Date: 11/19/2025
Notice
Summary
Starting January 1, 2026, some immigration fees like EVUS enrollment, ESTA travel authorization, and parole fees will go up a bit to keep up with inflation, thanks to the new HR-1 law. If you use these services, expect to pay a little more, but the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record fee stays the same. These changes help keep the system running smoothly without surprises!
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Parole Fee Rises to $1,020
If you are granted parole into the United States on or after January 1, 2026, DHS will collect an HR-1 parole fee of $1,020 (the prior $1,000 fee plus a $20 inflation adjustment). The fee is required each time parole is granted (unless an HR-1 exception applies) and is collected in addition to any other applicable fees.
I-94 Application Fee Stays $24
The HR-1 I-94 fee for FY 2026 remains $24, and CBP will continue to charge a $6 land-border processing fee where applicable, so the total to apply for a CBP Form I-94 at a land border port of entry remains $30. CBP will assess the FY 2026 amounts beginning January 1, 2026.
ESTA Fee Adjusted to $40.27
For Visa Waiver Program travelers, the FY 2026 ESTA travel authorization fee will be $40.27 per authorization ($17 + $10.27 cost-recovery component + $13) starting January 1, 2026. If an ESTA application is denied, the FY 2026 cost-recovery fee portion is $10.27, so the denial fee will be $10.27.
EVUS Enrollment Fee Rises to $30.75
Nationals of the People’s Republic of China required to enroll in EVUS will pay an inflation-adjusted enrollment fee of $30.75 for FY 2026 (the $30 base plus a $0.75 adjustment) beginning January 1, 2026. The EVUS fee must be paid at the time of enrollment.
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