Some Immigration Fees Will Change Starting October 2026

The government is changing some immigration fees for parole, ESTA, and EVUS starting in October 2026 because of inflation.

Affects: All immigrants · Source: Federal Register · Action may be needed

What happened

The U.S. government has announced new fee amounts for certain immigration services. These changes are for the government's 2027 fiscal year. They are happening because of a law passed earlier called HR-1.

The fees that will change are for parole into the U.S., the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), and the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS). However, the fee for the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record will stay the same.

These new fee amounts will start on October 16, 2026. This change is an adjustment for inflation, which means the fees are being updated to match changes in how much things cost.

By the numbers

The bigger picture

A law called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1) was passed in 2025. This law created some new immigration fees and made some existing ones higher. It also said that these specific fees must be adjusted each year to keep up with inflation.

The government says it is making these changes because HR-1 requires it. They must update these specific fees every year to match changes in the Consumer Price Index, which measures how much prices for everyday goods and services go up.

What this means for you

All immigrants

If you are seeking parole to enter the United States, the fee you pay will be a new, updated amount. This fee is adjusted for inflation as required by law.

All immigrants

If you are from a country that uses ESTA to visit the U.S. without a visa, the fee for your ESTA application will change. You will pay the new amount when you apply starting October 16, 2026.

All immigrants

If you are a Chinese citizen with a 10-year B1/B2 visa and need to enroll in EVUS, that fee will also be updated. You will pay the new amount when you enroll starting October 16, 2026.

All immigrants

The fee for the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record will not change for Fiscal Year 2027. You will pay the same amount as before if you need this record.

What you should do

Key dates

Words explained

Inflation
When prices for things like food, clothes, and services go up over time, so your money buys less.
Parole
A special permission that allows someone to enter and stay in the U.S. for a temporary time, even if they don't have a visa.
ESTA
Stands for Electronic System for Travel Authorization. It's an online system some visitors use to get permission to travel to the U.S. without a visa.
EVUS
Stands for Electronic Visa Update System. It's an online system that certain Chinese visitors use to update their information before traveling to the U.S.
Fiscal Year
A 12-month period used by the government for budgeting and planning, which starts on October 1st.

Common questions

Will all immigration fees go up?

No, not all immigration fees are changing. This announcement only talks about fees for parole, ESTA, and EVUS. The fee for the I-94 record will stay the same.

When do the new fees start?

The new fee amounts will start on October 16, 2026. If you apply or enroll before that date, you will pay the current fee.

How much will the fees increase?

The announcement says the fees are adjusted for inflation based on a 3.36% increase in the Consumer Price Index. However, it does not state the exact new dollar amounts for each fee yet.

Why are these fees changing?

A law called HR-1 requires the government to adjust these specific immigration fees every year. This adjustment helps the fees keep up with the cost of living.

This is a plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration attorney.

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