US to Raise Immigration Fees from 1 January 2026

The Department of Homeland Security will raise several immigration-related fees from 1 January 2026 as part of its annual inflation update.

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), DHS must adjust designated fees each year in line with the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. The latest update applies to charges administered by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

It covers fees for parole into the United States, Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) enrolment, and Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval.

The parole fee will increase from $1,000 in FY 2025 to $1,020 in FY 2026, marking the largest change. 

The fee for applying for a CBP Form I-94 at land border ports will remain at $30. ESTA authorisation will rise from $40 to $40.27, while EVUS enrolment will increase from $30 to $30.75. CBP noted that these updates are routine and support the agency’s operational needs. 

ESTA continues to serve as the required pre-travel authorisation for visitors under the Visa Waiver Program, and EVUS remains a system for updating information for eligible travellers, currently limited to certain Chinese nationals.

The adjustments come as overall US visa procedures become more stringent. 

In September 2025, the State Department ended the interview waiver policy, commonly known as “Dropbox”, for most applicant categories, reducing opportunities for foreign workers and students to renew visas without an in-person interview.

Although the fee increases are modest, they add to the financial demands placed on applicants navigating the US immigration system. The annual inflation requirement under HR-1 ensures that fees track economic conditions and remain on an upward trajectory.