The United States has announced a series of incremental fee increases for travel and immigration services, effective from January 1, 2026. The adjustments, mandated under the federal legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1), instruct the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement routine inflation-linked fee hikes for certain immigration categories.
Key among the changes is the increase of the parole fee—now rising from US $1,000 to US $1,020 (roughly ₹90,300) for non-citizens admitted temporarily under parole status. Other targeted adjustments include a modest rise in the fee for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) from US $40 to US $40.27, and an increase for the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) from US $30 to US $30.75.
However, the fee for Form I-94—which records the arrival and departure of foreign visitors—will remain unchanged at US $30 for the fiscal year 2026. Additional fee changes cover applications related to parole, temporary protected status (TPS), and employment authorization (Form I-765) for asylum seekers. For example, the initial EAD (employment authorization document) fee for asylum applicants increases from US $550 to US $560, while the renewal fee rises from US $275 to US $280.
For Indian applicants, the direct impact of these increases is expected to be limited. India is not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, meaning ESTA does not apply to holders of Indian passports. Consequently, most fee adjustments tied to those programs will largely bypass Indian travellers. That said, the increased parole fee could affect Indian nationals in specific cases where parole status is sought for entry into the U.S. on urgent or special-circumstances basis.
Observers note that while the hikes reflect a routine annual inflation adjustment rather than sweeping policy change, they signal continued cost escalation for immigration-related services. The incremental increases across multiple forms and programs highlight a broader trend of rising administrative burdens in U.S. immigration processes. For applicants planning to travel or relocate, particularly via less common pathways such as parole or TPS, the slightly higher cost may require adjustment in budgeting and planning timelines.
In summary, effective from the start of 2026, the U.S. will apply modest fee increases across several immigration and travel-authorization programs. While Indian nationals are unlikely to be broadly affected—due to the absence from the Visa Waiver Program—those engaging with less-ordinary admission categories should take note of the adjusted fees and plan accordingly.
