New details on the $100 annual fee and accepted payment methods for asylum seekers in the United States

USCIS clarified the process for asylum seekers to pay the $100 annual fee and outlined the payment procedure.

This change affects anyone with a pending Form I-589, per the agency’s notice.

Effective October 1, 2025, USCIS began sending notices about the $100 Annual Asylum Fee (AAF), which is due each calendar year and payable in addition to any other applicable fees.

There is no waiver available for this fee.

“If you have a pending Form I-589, Public Law 119-21 (P.L. 119-21) requires you to pay an AAF of $100 for each calendar year your application is pending.

This is in addition to any other fee. You cannot get a waiver for the AAF,” USCIS states in its notice.

USCIS has notified all who filed Form I-589 and whose cases are pending. Attorneys or accredited representatives listed on Form G-28 also receive copies.

“On Oct. 1, 2025, we began sending notices to all aliens with a pending Form I-589. We also sent them to any representative listed on the G-28,” the agency notes.

Applicants with a pending I-589 should wait for and review the notice specifying amount due, period, and references.

The deadline is 30 days from the date of receipt of notice. Missing a payment immediately affects processing, USCIS warns.

“If you receive a notice, you should pay the fee within 30 days. If you do not pay this fee, it may negatively affect your application, including, but not limited to, a delay in processing,” the notice says.

AAF payment is made exclusively online at: https://my.uscis.gov/accounts/annual-asylum-fee/start/overview.
You will need two numbers shown at the top of the letter: your A-Number (Alien Registration Number) and your Receipt Number.

“You must pay this fee online… You will need your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) and the Receipt Number at the top of your notice to pay the fee,” USCIS writes.

The AAF is separate from other fees and cannot be waived.

If you seek a fee waiver for another filing (via Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver), that does not eliminate the obligation to pay the AAF.

What else changes in the fee schedule

In an update published Oct. 2, 2025, USCIS released a new edition of its fee schedule (Form G-1055, Fee Schedule).

The new edition (10/02/25) introduces an online filing fee for Form I-129 (H-2A classification), eliminates fee exemptions that expired on September 30, 2025, and formally incorporates the Annual Asylum Fee (due upon receipt of notice).

“The new edition, 10/02/25: Adds Online Filing Fee for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, H-2A Classification; Removes filing fee exemptions that expired September 30, 2025; Includes Annual Asylum Fee, which is due upon receipt of Notice,” USCIS summarizes.

The agency also reiterates that, as of July 18, 2025, new fees were announced under the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill, with a clear effective timeline: new amounts apply to benefit requests postmarked on or after July 22, 2025, and any form postmarked on or after Aug. 21, 2025, without the proper fees will be rejected.

“USCIS will reject any form postmarked on or after Aug. 21, 2025, without the proper fees,” the notice states.

Beyond the AAF, Public Law 119-21 requires payment of additional statutory fees for certain filings. These are separate from both the AAF and standard USCIS filing fees.

“Additional fees are not eligible for fee waivers and must be paid by separate payment concurrent with any filing fee. If your form does not have a filing fee or you have applied for a fee waiver for the form’s filing fee, you must still pay the new fee mandated by Pub. L. 119-21,” USCIS notes.

These statutory fees are adjusted annually as required by law. For the amount applicable to your specific form, consult the “Additional Fee” section for that filing.

Outside the AAF, which must be paid exclusively online, other required fees (including additional statutory fees under P.L. 119-21 and standard filing fees) can be paid by check, money order, ACH debit, or credit card, as instructed on the relevant USCIS form.

“Each application, petition, or request must be accompanied by the correct fee(s)… If the fee is incorrect, your application, petition, or request will be rejected,” USCIS emphasizes.

If you are required to pay the $100 fee, please await the official USCIS notice and promptly submit your payment through the provided link. Take immediate action upon receiving the notice, as payment is required each calendar year while your I-589 remains pending. Avoid delays or negative impacts on your case by acting as soon as the notice arrives.

For represented applicants, USCIS also sends a notice to the attorney or accredited representative (Form G-28), which can help track deadlines.

If you have questions about eligibility for a waiver of other filing fees (not the AAF), review Form I-912 and its criteria, but keep in mind that the AAF is never waivable, USCIS explains.

The $100 AAF becomes an annual obligation for anyone with a pending I-589 until a final decision.

Ensure you pay online within 30 days using the references and portal detailed in your notice. Set a reminder and confirm your payment to avoid processing issues.

The updated G-1055 schedule and the additional fees under P.L. 119-21 require close attention. Any error in the amount or procedure can lead to rejection at intake.

Take control of your application: keep the USCIS letter, record your A-Number and Receipt Number, review the G-1055 fee schedule, and meticulously follow the payment directions in your notice to prevent delays or rejection.