U.S. Visa and Immigration Fees for FY 2026

Key Point 

• New U.S. visa and entry fees took effect on October 1, 2025, despite the government shutdown, and now apply to most nonimmigrant applicants 

Visa and Immigration Fee Effective October 1, 2025 

As of October 1, 2025, new visa and immigration fees are officially in effect, as outlined in the Federal Register and mandated by H.R. 1, the U.S. immigration budget law. These changes remain active despite the ongoing government shutdown. 

Federal agencies continue to process visa applications and collect fees because these services are funded through user payments—not congressional appropriations. As a result, employers and foreign nationals must ensure that all filings reflect the updated fee structure without delay. 

What’s Changed 

The following fees are now active as of October 1, 2025: 

• Visa Integrity Fee: 
  • $250 charged upon issuance of non-immigrant visas at U.S. embassies and consulates 
  • Applies to B-1/B-2, F-1, J-1, H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and dependents 
  • Exemptions include Visa Waiver Program travelers and most Canadian citizens 
• Form I-765 (Employment Authorization): 
  • $555 for paper filing 
  • Online filing discount available 
• Form I-129 (H-1B Petition): 
  • Increased to $780 
• Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status): 
  • Increased to $1,540 (biometrics included) 
• Form N-400 (Naturalization): 
  • Increased to $810 (biometrics included) 
• Form I-131 (Advance Parole): 
  • Increased to $630 

Additional Notes 

• Online Filing Discounts: USCIS now offers reduced fees for select forms filed electronically. 
• Fee Waivers: Still available for qualifying low-income applicants, veterans, and humanitarian cases. 
• Annual Adjustments: The Visa Integrity Fee will be adjusted annually for inflation beginning in FY2026. 
• Reimbursement Mechanisms: Authorized under law but not yet operationalized. 

Visa Fee Guidance Pending 

While the Visa Integrity Fee officially went into effect on October 1, 2025, several operational details remain pending: 

• The Department of State and DHS have not yet released full guidance on how the fee will be collected, processed, or potentially refunded. 
• Consular implementation procedures—especially how the fee applies across different visa categories—are still being finalized. 
• Due to the ongoing government shutdown, updates from federal agencies may be delayed or limited, which affects how quickly these procedures will be clarified. 

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