As of October 1, 2025, a new $100 Annual Asylum Fee has been implemented for individuals with a pending Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. This fee is part of the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill and applies to both affirmative asylum cases with USCIS and defensive asylum cases in immigration court. Here’s what you need to know:

Who Needs to Pay the $100 Fee?

  • New Asylum Applications: If you’re submitting a new Form I-589 on or after October 1, 2025, a $100 filing fee is required at the time of submission.
  • Pending Asylum Applications: If your Form I-589 has been pending for one year or more as of September 30, 2025, you must pay the $100 annual fee. This fee is due each year your application remains pending.
  • For example, if your application has been pending for 3 years as of September 30, 2025, you would pay $100 this year and $100 each subsequent year until your case is decided.
  • The fee is per application, not per person. So, if your spouse or children are included in your application, the total fee remains $100.

How and When to Pay the Fee

  • For USCIS (Affirmative Asylum Cases):
    • USCIS will issue individual notices indicating when and how to pay the annual asylum fee for pending applications.
    • To check if your fee is due, visit the USCIS payment website and enter your A-Number and receipt number from your asylum application receipt notice.
    • If your case is ready for payment, you will see a blue “Pay and Submit” button. Click it to proceed with payment.
    • Payments can be made using credit card, debit card, or a U.S. bank account.
    • After payment, you will receive a receipt with an Agency Tracking ID. Keep this for your records.
  • For Immigration Court (Defensive Asylum Cases):
    • The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) has indicated that the annual asylum fee applies to all applications pending for a year or longer as of July 4, 2025.
    • Asylum applications filed on or after September 23, 2025, must include the $100 filing fee at the time of submission through the EOIR portal.
    • For applications filed between July 4, 2025, and September 22, 2025, if your application was rejected for not paying the fee, you can now pay the fee through the EOIR portal and resubmit your application with a copy of the receipt.
    • If your application was accepted during this period, it’s advisable to pay the fee through the EOIR portal to ensure compliance.

Important Considerations

  • No Fee Waivers: Unfortunately, there are no fee waivers or reductions available for the annual asylum fee. It’s essential to plan accordingly.
  • Failure to pay the annual asylum fee may result in delays or potential denials of your asylum application.
  • Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for official notices from USCIS or EOIR regarding your specific payment instructions and deadlines.

Our Take at Garvish Immigration Law Group
We understand that this new annual fee can make the process feel confusing and overwhelming. Immigration rules are complicated enough, and having to navigate an unexpected fee can be intimidating. That’s why Garvish Immigration Law Group is here to guide you every step of the way, answer your questions, and make sure you fully understand what’s required, so you can focus on what matters most: your safety and future in the U.S.

If you have any questions about this new fee and how it affects you, schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today. We’re here to help you move forward with confidence.