US Implements $1,000 Immigration Parole Fee Starting October 2025

The United States has announced a new immigration parole fee of $1,000 for migrants seeking temporary entry or stay in the country. Effective from October 16, 2025, this fee will affect certain applicants requesting parole, a process that allows individuals to remain in the U.S. without a visa for specific humanitarian reasons.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has detailed that this fee will apply to individuals granted parole under Section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This includes both extensions of current parole and new requests for parole. The fee will be charged in addition to any existing biometric or filing fees associated with the application process.

Parole allows individuals to enter the U.S. temporarily for public interest or humanitarian purposes. For instance, it can permit a person from a conflict zone to seek safety while their asylum application is processed. Additionally, the fee will apply to those who previously held parole status and are seeking an extension, such as a noncitizen spouse of a U.S. service member.

According to USCIS, applicants should not submit the fee with their initial Form I-131. The agency will confirm whether applicants qualify for parole and if the fee is necessary. “USCIS will collect the immigration parole fee if you are physically present in the United States and we are granting you parole or a new period of parole,” the agency stated. “We will not grant parole unless you pay the immigration parole fee as instructed and within the specified time period.”

The fee will be collected by three branches of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Notably, the new fee will not apply to all applicants. Those already in the U.S. not seeking new parole will be exempt, as will individuals entering the country lawfully on visas like H-1B or F-1 who are requesting immigration benefits rather than parole. Additionally, informants or witnesses aiding investigations, as well as individuals in life-saving situations, are also excluded from the fee.

USCIS has indicated that waivers for the fee will only be granted in severe circumstances, such as emergency medical evacuations or situations involving immediate danger.

The introduction of this fee marks a significant change in the U.S. immigration landscape and aims to streamline the process while addressing humanitarian needs. As the implementation date approaches, potential applicants are encouraged to stay informed about the new requirements.