What Is HR-1 (The One Big Beautiful Bill Act)?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1, Pub. L. 119-21) was signed into law on July 4, 2025. Among its many provisions, it created several new mandatory immigration fees that had never existed before — most effective July 22, 2025.
Unlike typical USCIS fee rule changes (which go through notice-and-comment rulemaking), these fees were created directly by statute. This means they are mandatory by law and generally cannot be waived through the standard I-912 fee waiver process.
The fees are also indexed to CPI-U (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers), meaning they adjust automatically each January 1 — making them larger over time without requiring new legislation.
Asylum Filing Fee — $100 (Form I-589)
Before HR-1, filing an asylum application (Form I-589) was completely free. HR-1 Section 100002 created a $100 one-time filing fee for all new asylum applications.
Annual Asylum Maintenance Fee — $100/year
Separate from the one-time filing fee, HR-1 also created an annual $100 fee charged each year an asylum application remains pending. Non-payment results in rejection of the pending application.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Fee — $24
HR-1 Section 100008 created a $24 fee for Form I-94, the arrival/departure record that nonimmigrants receive when entering the US. Previously, this record was automatically created at no cost for most travelers.
EAD Statutory Fee — $560 Initial / $280 Renewal
HR-1 created mandatory statutory fees for Employment Authorization Documents (work permits / EADs) for certain humanitarian and parolee categories — primarily EAD category (c)(11) (parolees). These are in addition to any base USCIS EAD fees that may also apply.
Parole Fee — $1,030
HR-1 created a fee if parole is approved. This is a significant new cost for individuals who receive humanitarian or other parole into the United States.
How CPI-U Indexing Works
Unlike standard USCIS fees (which require rulemaking to change), HR-1 fees automatically adjust each January 1 based on the prior year's Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
| Fee | FY2025 (original) | FY2026 (+2.70%) | Next adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asylum filing fee | $100 | $100 | Jan 1, 2027 |
| Annual asylum fee | $100 | $100 | Jan 1, 2027 |
| I-94 fee | $24 | $24 | Jan 1, 2027 |
| Initial EAD (c)(11) | $545 | $560 | Jan 1, 2027 |
| Renewal EAD (c)(11) | $275 | $280 | Jan 1, 2027 |
| Parole fee | $1,030 | $1,030 | Jan 1, 2027 |
FY2026 CPI-U adjustment: +2.70%. Source: Federal Register Notice FR Doc. 2025-20622.
Litigation & Implementation Status
Some HR-1 fees are under active litigation
Court orders may pause or modify certain fees. Always verify the current status at uscis.gov before filing or making payments.
Complete HR-1 Fee Summary
| Fee | Amount (FY2026) | Effective | Who Pays | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-589 asylum filing fee | $100 | Jul 22, 2025 | Asylum applicants | Active |
| Annual asylum maintenance fee | $100/yr | Jul 22, 2025 | Pending asylum applicants | Partial pause |
| I-94 arrival/departure fee | $24 | Jul 22, 2025 | I-94 applicants | Active |
| Initial EAD — (c)(11) parolees | $560 | Jan 1, 2026 | Parolee EAD applicants | Active |
| Renewal EAD — (c)(11) parolees | $280 | Jan 1, 2026 | Parolee EAD renewals | Active |
| Parole approval fee | $1,030 | Jul 22, 2025 | Parole recipients | Litigation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do HR-1 fees apply to pending asylum applications?
The one-time $100 asylum filing fee applies to new I-589 applications filed on or after July 22, 2025. The annual maintenance fee applies to applications still pending after July 22, 2025 — including applications filed before the law's enactment. USCIS is required to notify applicants before charging the annual fee. The annual fee is currently paused for members of the Ms. L. Settlement Class.
Can I get a fee waiver for HR-1 fees?
Generally no. HR-1 fees are mandatory statutory fees established directly by law. The standard I-912 Fee Waiver process applies only to discretionary USCIS fees established through regulation, not to statutory fees created by Congress. Some very narrow exemptions may apply — consult an immigration attorney for your specific situation.
How are HR-1 fees different from regular USCIS fees?
Standard USCIS fees (like I-130, I-485, N-400) are set through the Administrative Procedure Act notice-and-comment rulemaking process. They can be waived via Form I-912 for eligible applicants, and changes require USCIS to publish proposed rules and accept public comments. HR-1 fees, by contrast, are written directly into federal law. They cannot be waived through standard channels, adjust automatically each January, and take effect on dates Congress specifies — not through rulemaking.
Does the $24 I-94 fee apply every time I enter the US?
The statutory language applies to "aliens submitting application for Form I-94." Implementation details — including whether this applies per-entry at air ports of entry or only to certain application processes — are being determined by USCIS and CBP. Verify current applicability at uscis.gov or cbp.gov before traveling, as implementation guidance may have been updated after this page was last verified.