USCIS immigration fee and policy updates

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing several fee increases and policy updates. Starting October 16, 2026, certain employment authorization document requests for asylum seekers, parolees, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries will increase by $10.

More significant adjustments are scheduled for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program effective November 30, 2026. Fees for Form I-526 will rise from $3,675 to $7,615, while Form I-526E costs will increase to $7,850. The fee for Form I-829, used to remove residency conditions, will rise to $5,000, and the EB-5 Integrity Fund fee will increase to $1,100 per investor. These changes aim to cover administrative costs and bolster fraud detection.

In related developments, a bipartisan Senate bill has proposed extending TPS protections for Ukrainian citizens through July 1, 2029. Additionally, USCIS has begun notifying applicants regarding ‘FBI Privacy Requirements for Biometrics Collection’ to inform them of the Continuous Immigration Vetting (CIV) system used for criminal background checks.

Recent regulatory changes include a proposed rule to eliminate deference to prior approvals when adjudicating extensions for employment or stays, shifting the burden of proving eligibility to the petitioner. A final rule has also taken effect ending the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain work authorization categories.

Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security has reduced the response period for a Notice of Intent to Terminate refugee status from 30 to 10 days. Regarding TPS, USCIS confirmed that Ukrainian nationals holding the status retain protection and work authorization, though the agency has not yet specified a new expiration date following the end of the previous designation period on October 19, 2026.