The United States (US) will increase immigration and border-related fees starting January 1, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced. These changes represent mandatory annual adjustments required under the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” officially known as HR-1, which mandates DHS update certain immigration-related fees annually to reflect inflation.
Affected Fee Categories
The department announced inflation-adjusted costs for the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS), Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and parole charges for non-citizens temporarily allowed into the United States. Travelers in these categories may expect modest travel expense increases when visiting the US.
Parole Fee Increase
The parole fee, allowing foreign nationals to enter and stay in the US for limited periods without visa or official admission status, will increase to $1,020 from $1,000 on January 1, 2026. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to temporarily parole immigrant applicants for urgent humanitarian grounds or significant public benefit.
ESTA Fee Adjustment
The ESTA fee will increase by $0.27, from $40 in fiscal year 2025 to $40.27 in fiscal year 2026. However, this change will not affect Indian citizens, as India is not part of the US Visa Waiver Program. ESTA is required only for travelers from participating countries.
EVUS Fee Change
The Electronic Visa Update System fee will increase from $30 to $30.75. This system applies only to Chinese citizens holding B-1 or B-2 visas who need to periodically update their information.
Form I-94 Remains Unchanged
The DHS announced that Form I-94 application fees, also known as Arrival and Departure Forms, will remain unchanged at $30. This form is required for certain overseas visitors gaining entry into the US.
Legal Basis for Adjustments
Fee increases are part of annual adjustments mandated by law to account for inflation. HR-1 established minimum fees for fiscal year 2025, with requirements that future costs be adjusted annually according to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers.
Impact on Travelers
These inflation-related measures will impact travelers and immigration service applicants, who will experience slight increases in travel expenses. While adjustments are modest, they reflect ongoing efforts to align immigration-related fees with current economic conditions and administrative costs.
