$102 Annual Asylum Fee: Who Pays, When, and How

What is this fee and where did it come from

Starting in 2026, everyone with a pending asylum case in the United States must pay $102 per year — for each year the case remains pending. This is a new annual fee that did not exist before.

This is new. Before 2025, filing for asylum was completely free. Now you must pay twice: $100 when filing the I-589 (a one-time fee) and $102 every year while your case is pending.

The fee was established by the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Act («One Big Beautiful Bill Act», 2025). The original amount of $100 was adjusted for inflation to $102 in 2026. The amount will be reviewed annually.

Important for families: $102 is the fee per application (Form I-589), not per person. If your entire family is included on one I-589, you pay $102 for everyone.

Who must pay

Answer a few questions to find out whether you are subject to the new fee requirement:

Where to pay: USCIS vs Immigration Court

The fee is the same — $102. But the payment portal depends on where your case is currently located.

Step-by-step payment instructions

✅ What to prepare before paying

• A-Number (Alien Registration Number) — starts with the letter «A»
• Receipt Number — from your I-589 filing confirmation or AAF notice
• Bank card (credit or debit) or bank account information
• Current address — update it using Form AR-11, if you have moved

Even if you did not receive a notice — check online. Some people did not receive notices by mail, but the obligation to pay still applies. Do not wait for a notice — go to the portal and check.

What happens if you don't pay

The consequences of non-payment are serious and take effect automatically. Here is what will happen if you do not pay on time:

Do not rely on mail. Update your address using Form AR-11 and regularly check the myUSCIS or EOIR portals.

Can you avoid paying? Is there a Fee Waiver?

Short answer: no

A fee waiver for the Annual Asylum Fee is not available. This has been confirmed by USCIS, EOIR, and nonprofit organizations (ASAP, ILRC). Payment is mandatory regardless of your financial situation.

This is different from many other immigration fees, where you can submit a fee waiver request based on financial hardship. For the Annual Asylum Fee, this option does not exist.

What to do if you cannot afford it

1. Contact nonprofit organizations. ASAP, CLINIC and others can help with legal and financial matters.
2. Ask community organizations — churches, diaspora centers, and mutual aid groups sometimes help with payment.
3. Do not ignore the fee. $102 is far less than the cost of the consequences of non-payment (loss of EAD, attorney fees for removal proceedings).

Key takeaways

1. $102 per year — a mandatory fee for everyone whose I-589 case has been pending for one year or more.
2. Payment must be made through different portals: USCIS for affirmative cases, EOIR for cases in court.
3. 30 days to pay after notice. Do not wait for a letter — check online.
4. A fee waiver is not available. Non-payment leads to case denial and EAD revocation.
5. $102 per application, not per person. A family on one I-589 pays once.

Take care 💙💛

Sources

• · ASAP — Annual Asylum Fee (primary source)
• · USCIS — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• · EOIR — Executive Office for Immigration Review

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rules and deadlines are subject to change.