Applying for a US Work Permit? New Fees Now Apply to Asylum, TPS, and Parole Groups

The United States has introduced new fees for certain immigrants applying for permission to work. These changes affect categories that were previously exempt from paying, such as asylum seekers, parolees, and those under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made it very clear: any form sent without the required payment and postmarked on or after August 21, 2025, will be rejected.

What is an Employment Authorization Document?

To work legally in the United States, most foreigners need an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), sometimes called a work permit. This card proves work eligibility for fix period of time.

It’s also called Form I-766. To get it, you file Form I-765. But not everyone needs an EAD:

• If you have a Green Card (Form I-551), you’re already authorized.
• If you’re in a visa status that allows work for a specific employer (like H-1B, L-1B, O, or P), you don’t need an EAD either.

Who Needs to Pay Now?

If you’re applying for a U.S. work permit under these categories, you now have to pay the fee:

• Asylum seekers
• Parolees
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders

These groups were previously exempt. That’s changed.

Updated EAD Fees

Here’s what the new costs look like for those categories:

Application Type	New Fee
First-time EAD (Form I-765)	$550
Renewal or extension of EAD	$275
Asylum application (Form I-589)	$100
Annual Asylum Fee (while pending)	$100/year

Note: The $100 annual asylum fee must be paid online, starting from the first year your asylum application is pending and every year after that until it’s resolved.

Special Case: Re-Parole Applicants

If you’re applying for a work permit after being re-paroled using Form I-131, you’ll pay the lower fee of $275, not the $550.

Important Dates

• July 22, 2025: You can start submitting forms with the new fees.
• August 21, 2025: USCIS will reject any form postmarked on or after this date without the correct fee.

So if you’re planning to apply, double-check the dates and amounts.

What About EAD Validity?

There are also changes to how long your work permit is valid:

• Parolees: Up to 1 year, or until your parole ends, whichever is sooner.
• TPS holders: Same, up to 1 year, or until TPS ends.

One More Thing

These new fees are extra charges, not replacements. So in some cases, you might need to pay both the usual USCIS fee and this new one.

Final Tip

If you’re applying for work permission in the U.S. under any of the affected categories, make sure to:

• Know which form you need.
• Pay the right fee.
• Check your postmark date.

A small mistake, like a missing payment can mean starting over.

What This Means for Immigrants

The main takeaway is that applying for and renewing work permits in the U.S. will now be more expensive for many asylum seekers, parolees, and TPS holders. Planning ahead is key, since missing the correct fee will mean a rejected application.

For foreign nationals navigating U.S. immigration in 2025, these changes underline how important it is to stay updated with USCIS rules before submitting any form.