What is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
- Budget reconciliation bill (H.R. 1) - passed without minority party votes
- Senate: 51-50 (VP Vance tie-breaking), July 1, 2025
- House: 218-214, July 3, 2025
- Signed: July 4, 2025 by President Trump
- Total immigration-related funding: $170.7 billion
- Passed through reconciliation = budget-related only, no filibuster
- Provisions take effect at different dates (July 2025 to January 2027)
- DHS interim final rule published April 29, 2026 → effective May 29, 2026
- Public comments open until June 29, 2026
This guide covers every immigration provision and what to do before the May 29 deadline. For broader US processing context see USCIS Processing Times 2026.
Every new immigration fee - the complete table
Sorted by category. All fees are subject to annual CPI-U inflation adjustments (FY2026 adjustment: 2.70%).
| Fee | Old amount | New amount | Effective | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-94 Arrival/Departure | Free | $40 | Jul 22, 2025 | Every entry by air/sea |
| ESTA (VWP) | $21 | $60 | Jul 22, 2025 | Visa Waiver countries |
| EVUS enrollment | Free | $75 | Jul 22, 2025 | Chinese B1/B2 holders |
| Parole fee | $0 | $1,020 (FY2026) | Jul 22, 2025 | 10 exceptions exist |
| Asylum filing (I-589) | $0 | Retained, no waiver for filing | May 29, 2026 | Filing fee mandatory |
| Annual Asylum Fee | $0 | $100/year | May 29, 2026 | NEW - every pending year |
| EAD (I-765) | Varies | Varies (validity reduced) | May 29, 2026 | AOS EAD: 24 → 18 months |
| Removed in absentia | $0 | $5,130 (FY2026) | Sep 8, 2025 | Charged upon ICE arrest |
| Inadmissible apprehension | $0 | $5,130 (FY2026) | Sep 8, 2025 | Between ports of entry |
| Remittance tax | 0% | 1% | Jan 1, 2026 | On personal money transfers |
| Naturalization (N-400) | $710 | $820+ | Jul 22, 2025 | Increased |
| Green card (I-485) | $1,140 | $1,440+ | Jul 22, 2025 | Increased |
| I-130 family petition | $535 | $675+ | Jul 22, 2025 | Increased |
| I-140 employer petition | $715 | $815+ | Jul 22, 2025 | Increased |
| Premium processing (I-129/I-140) | $2,805 | $2,965+ | Jul 22, 2025 | Increased |
Fees increase every January 1 with CPI-U inflation. See USCIS processing times for delays accompanying these increases.
Asylum annual fee - the May 29 deadline
This is the most consequential change taking effect May 29, 2026.
- NEW: $100 annual fee for every year an asylum application is pending
- First payment due on the 1-year anniversary of filing
- USCIS will notify applicants when fee is due
- If not paid within 30 days of notification: application REJECTED
- If applicant has no legal status → removal proceedings initiated
- Pending I-765 (EAD) may be denied
- Fee waiver available for hardship via Form I-912 (income below 150% FPL)
- Applies to BOTH new applications AND existing pending cases
- NOT affected: refugees, certain VAWA applicants, unaccompanied minors
- DHS interim final rule effective May 29, 2026
- Public comment period open until June 29, 2026
Full guide: US Asylum Fee Deadline May 29, 2026.
EAD validity period changes
- AOS-based EAD (c)(9): reduced from 2 years to 18 months
- Combined with end of auto-extensions (October 2025): creates a dangerous gap risk
- Strategy: file renewals 180 days before expiration
- Premium processing for some I-765 categories: $1,780
- H-4 EAD: still no premium processing, 6-9 month wait
Detailed guide: I-765 Processing Times 2026.
$170 billion enforcement breakdown
| Category | Funding | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Border wall and infrastructure | $46.55B | Physical barriers, roads, technology |
| ICE detention | $45B | Family and adult detention expansion |
| CBP personnel | $59B | 4-year hiring + vehicles + facilities |
| State reimbursement | $10B | Reimburse states for border costs |
| Operation Stonegarden | $450M | Local-federal enforcement partnerships |
| Drone defense | $500M | Unmanned aerial system detection |
| Event security (World Cup, Olympics) | Included | 2026 World Cup + 2028 Olympics |
This is the largest single investment in immigration enforcement in US history. For context, the entire DHS annual budget is approximately $60B. World Cup security funding context: FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa Guide.
Benefits and healthcare cuts
Timeline of benefit terminations for non-citizens:
- SNAP (food assistance): already revoked for most non-citizens
- Medicaid and CHIP: revoked October 1, 2026
- ACA marketplace: revoked January 1, 2027
- Medicare: revoked January 27, 2027
- WHO is affected: refugees without green cards, TPS holders, asylum applicants, humanitarian parolees
- WHO is NOT affected: green card holders, certain Cuban/Haitian humanitarian parolees, specific Pacific Island communities
These cuts affect an estimated 5-8 million non-citizens who currently access public health benefits.
Remittance tax - 1% on money transfers
- 1% excise tax on remittance transfers from US to other countries
- Effective: January 1, 2026
- Applies to: personal, family, and household transfers
- Collected by: the money transfer service (bank, wire company)
- Exemptions: transfers via US-regulated financial institutions or paid with US-issued debit/credit cards (pending Treasury guidance)
- NOT for business or corporate transfers
- Impact: US remittances total $70+ billion annually = ~$700M new revenue
Workers sending money home to India, Mexico, Philippines, and African countries will pay this on every transfer. For comparison see Cost of Immigration Report 2026.
Who is affected - by immigration status
H-1B HOLDERS:
- Higher I-129 filing fees + higher premium processing
- I-94 fee on every entry ($40)
- ESTA fee increase for VWP spouse/family visitors
- EAD validity reduced if switching to AOS
- No direct impact on H-1B lottery/selection - see H-1B FY2027 lottery results
GREEN CARD APPLICANTS:
- I-485 fee increased
- I-140 fee increased
- Enhanced FBI background checks effective April 27, 2026
- EAD validity reduced during AOS pending
- See: Green Card Backlog Report 2026 and our priority date calculator
ASYLUM SEEKERS:
- Annual $100 fee (new)
- Non-payment → rejection + removal proceedings
- Fee waiver available with documentation (I-912)
- I-589 filing fee now mandatory (no filing-fee waiver)
- See: US asylum fee deadline guide
TOURISTS / VWP TRAVELERS:
- ESTA: $21 → $60 (tripled)
- I-94: new $40 fee per entry
- EVUS: new $75 fee for Chinese B-1/B-2 holders
- See: FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa Guide
HUMANITARIAN PAROLEES:
- Parole fee: $1,020 (new, with 10 exceptions)
- Medicaid/CHIP revoked October 2026
- ACA revoked January 2027
EMPLOYERS SPONSORING WORKERS:
- Higher I-140 fees
- Higher premium processing
- I-94 fee for every international employee entry
- Budget impact: $500-2,000 more per sponsored worker
PEOPLE SENDING MONEY ABROAD:
- 1% remittance tax on every transfer
- Collected by transfer service provider
- US-issued cards may be exempt pending Treasury guidance
Key dates timeline
What to do right now
IF YOU HAVE PENDING ASYLUM:
- Understand the annual fee structure NOW
- Prepare fee waiver (I-912) if applicable
- Do NOT ignore USCIS fee notifications
- Non-payment within 30 days = rejection + removal risk
- See asylum fee deadline guide
IF YOU'RE ON A WORK VISA:
- Budget for higher renewal fees
- File EAD renewals 180 days early (shorter validity)
- I-94 now costs $40 per entry - factor into travel
- Consult USCIS processing times
IF YOU'RE APPLYING FOR A GREEN CARD:
- Higher fees across the board
- File sooner rather than later (fees increase annually)
- Enhanced FBI checks may delay processing
- Track your priority date with our Green Card Calculator
- See I-485 processing times and I-140 processing times
IF YOU SEND MONEY ABROAD:
- 1% tax on remittances - use exempt methods if possible
- US-issued debit/credit cards may be exempt (pending Treasury guidance)
IF YOU'RE CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVES:
- Canada Express Entry: no per-country caps, 6-month PR, no lottery. See Canada H-1B fast-track
- Germany Opportunity Card: no job offer needed. See Germany immigration changes 2026
- Australia 189: direct PR through points
- Compare destinations: Best countries to work abroad, Easiest work visa countries
- Use our Immigration Eligibility Checker across 20 countries
Comparison - US vs alternative destinations
The OBBBA fee increases make alternative destinations relatively more attractive for skilled immigration.
| Factor | USA (post-OBBBA) | Canada | Germany | Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green card / PR filing fee | $1,440+ | Free (Express Entry) | €75 | A$1,895 |
| Annual pending fee | $100/yr (asylum) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Work permit / entry fee | I-94 $40/entry | Free (with PR) | €75 | Included |
| Remittance tax | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| PR timeline (India) | 12+ years (EB-2) | 6 months | 21 months | 6-12 months |
| Per-country cap | 7% (~9,800/country) | No cap | No cap | No cap |
| Lottery required | Yes (H-1B) | No | No | No |
Related: Global Talent War Index 2026, Cost of Immigration Report 2026, The Great Visa Freeze Report 2026, May 2026 Visa Bulletin, US social media screening. Calculate your alternatives: Canada CRS calculator.
Glossary terms referenced in this article
Frequently asked questions
What is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act?
H.R. 1, signed July 4, 2025, is a $170 billion budget reconciliation bill that overhauls US immigration fees, enforcement funding, asylum rules, and healthcare benefits for non-citizens.
When do the new USCIS fees take effect?
Most fees took effect July 22, 2025. The asylum annual fee and EAD validity changes take effect May 29, 2026 under a DHS interim final rule.
What is the new asylum annual fee?
$100 per year for every year an asylum application remains pending. If not paid within 30 days of notification, USCIS will reject the application. Non-status applicants face removal proceedings.
How much more does it cost to enter the US now?
ESTA tripled from $21 to $60. A new $40 I-94 fee applies to every air/sea entry. Chinese B-1/B-2 holders pay $75 for EVUS enrollment. Total entry cost for a VWP traveler: $100 (was $21).
Does the bill affect H-1B visas?
Indirectly. Filing fees for I-129 and premium processing increased. The I-94 entry fee adds $40 per trip. The H-1B lottery system itself was not changed by this bill.
What is the remittance tax?
A 1% excise tax on personal money transfers from the US to other countries, effective January 1, 2026. Transfers via US-regulated banks or US-issued cards may be exempt pending Treasury guidance.
Will Medicaid be cut for immigrants?
Yes. Medicaid and CHIP access will be revoked for most non-citizens on October 1, 2026. Green card holders, certain Cuban/Haitian parolees, and specific Pacific Island communities are exempt.
Can I comment on the asylum fee rule?
Yes. The DHS interim final rule is open for public comment until June 29, 2026 at regulations.gov (Docket No. USCIS-2026-0133). Comments with data and specific impacts are most influential.
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