View the official USCIS announcement on the new Immigration Parole Fee

Updated for November 2025 – Based on USCIS Implementation of the Immigration Parole Fee under H.R. 1 / One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Quick Answer

If you recently received a USCIS “Parole Fee Notice,” USCIS is requiring a $1,000 payment before continuing or validating a parole grant.

The fee—created by the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Act and effective October 16, 2025—applies mainly to new or extended parole approvals such as CHNV humanitarian parole, U4U (Uniting for Ukraine), or Family Reunification Parole (FRP).
It does not apply to those who already received a green card or adjusted status.

Why People Are Receiving These USCIS Letters

Since mid-October 2025, thousands of immigrants and sponsors have begun receiving USCIS Parole Fee Notices through their USCIS Online Accounts.

These letters stem from the new $1,000 Immigration Parole Fee established by Congress under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1).

According to the Federal Register notice (90 FR 48317, Oct 16 2025), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is authorized to collect the fee from “any alien who is paroled into the United States.”

Many recipients are confused and anxious:

“Do I really have to pay this?”

“Does it apply if I already have a green card?”

“What if I ignore it?”

This guide answers those questions in detail.

What the USCIS Parole Fee Notice Means

A USCIS Parole Fee Notice is a formal DHS request for payment before a parole authorization can be issued or remain valid.
The letter usually lists:

• Amount due ($1,000)
• Case receipt number and deadline
• Payment instructions through the USCIS Online Portal or at a U.S. port of entry (POE)
• Methods and procedures for submitting the payment depend on the circumstances and are detailed in the notice.

The policy implements 8 U.S.C. § 1804, requiring the fee from nearly all parole recipients unless a statutory exception applies.

Who Must Pay the Immigration Parole Fee

Who Is Exempt from the Fee

You are not subject to the $1,000 fee if:

• You already adjusted status and received a green card;
• Your parole expired before Oct 16 2025 and you are not renewing;
• You are a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee; or
• You qualify under one of the ten exceptions listed in Appendix B of the USCIS Fee Schedule.

Key Exceptions (8 U.S.C. § 1804(b))

1. Medical emergency (no adequate treatment abroad)
2. Parent or guardian accompanying a minor under exception (1)
3. Urgent organ or tissue donor
4. Visiting a close family member whose death is imminent
5. Attending a family funeral
6. Adopted child with urgent medical condition awaiting visa
7. Adjustment-of-status applicant returning from travel abroad (Advance Parole)
8. Returned under “Remain in Mexico” to attend a hearing
9. Cuban or Haitian entrant
10. Law-enforcement or significant public-benefit parole

When and How the Fee Is Collected

• Not at filing: charged after approval
• At port of entry: CBP collects upon inspection
• Inside the U.S.: USCIS may send a “Pay Now” notice
• Multi-use I-512L: each entry can trigger the fee
• Failure to pay: can lead to denial of parole or removal
• Payment deadline: Payment must be made within the specified time period mentioned in the notice to avoid denial of the application.

How the Fee Affects U4U (Uniting for Ukraine) Beneficiaries

Applicants Abroad: Those entering on or after Oct 16 2025 must pay the fee at the port of entry.
Re-Parole Extensions in U.S.: Likely subject to the fee upon next entry.
Adjusted to LPR Status: Exempt under exception (7).
Received Notice in Error: Check USCIS Case Status Online or file an e-Request.

Military Parole in Place (PIP) and the New Fee

Does the $1,000 Fee Apply to PIP? No. USCIS has not applied the Immigration Parole Fee to Military PIP, which covers certain family members of U.S. service members already in the country.

Why PIP Is Different

• Granted inside the U.S., not “into” it
• Serves a national-security and family-unity purpose
• No Federal Register notice adds PIP to the fee schedule
• DHS would need a new rule to impose it

What PIP Does
Allows certain spouses, parents, and children of U.S. service members or veterans who entered without inspection to receive temporary parole while remaining in the U.S. and apply for adjustment without departing.

Why It’s Exempt
The statute permits waivers for “significant public benefit.” Military family stability meets that definition. Unless 8 U.S.C. § 1804 is amended, PIP remains fee-exempt.

If You Receive a Fee Letter for PIP

• Confirm with your field office or call the USCIS Military Help Line (1-877-CIS-4MIL)
• Do not pay unless confirmed by USCIS
• Report errors via the e-Request tool

Expert Commentary — Richard T. Herman, Esq.

“The new Immigration Parole Fee is sweeping in scope. It applies broadly to humanitarian parole and re-parole extensions, but there are clear exceptions for green-card holders, military PIP families, and urgent humanitarian cases.”
— Richard T. Herman, Immigration Attorney, Herman Legal Group

How to Pay the Parole Fee

1. Log into myaccount.uscis.gov
2. Select your case and click “Pay Now.”
3. Complete the transaction and save the receipt. Ensure you provide the applicant’s first name, last name, date of birth, and A-Number during the payment process.
4. Track status at egov.uscis.gov.
5. Once the fee is successfully paid, USCIS will issue the final approval for your parole request, which may include issuing a travel document.

After Payment

Once the fee posts as “Received,” USCIS resumes processing. Successful payment will lead USCIS to process the request and send a receipt notice. Typical timelines:

• CHNV or U4U: 2–4 weeks
• Re-Parole: 60–90 days
• Advance Parole: normal service center times
• A receipt notice will be sent to confirm successful payment.

• CHNV or U4U: 2–4 weeks
• Re-Parole: 60–90 days
• Advance Parole: normal service center times

If You Already Have a Green Card

Green-card holders are fully exempt. Ignore erroneous letters but verify in your USCIS Online Account if unsure.

Common Questions and Confusions

• Is my parole revoked? No — this is a payment notice, not a revocation.
• I filed for asylum — do I pay? Not unless you receive a new parole grant.
• Can I get a waiver? Yes, for rare humanitarian or public-benefit reasons.
• Will I lose my green card if I ignore it? No.
• How to check authenticity? Only emails from “.gov” domains are valid — see USCIS Avoid Scams.

Detailed FAQ on the USCIS Immigration Parole Fee

1. Why Did I Receive a “USCIS Immigration Parole Fee Notice”?

Because your parole case falls under the new law (H.R. 1; 8 U.S.C. §1804) requiring a $1,000 payment before activation or continuation.

2. Is This the Same as the I-131 Filing Fee?

No. It’s a separate post-approval fee collected after parole is granted.

3. When Did the Rule Take Effect?

October 16 2025, per the Federal Register.

4. Does It Apply Retroactively?

No — only to parole issued on or after Oct 16 2025.

5. Who Must Pay?

Beneficiaries of CHNV, U4U, FRP, individual humanitarian parole, and CBP One or custody paroles.

6. Who Is Automatically Exempt?

Green-card holders, refugees, asylees, Advance Parole travelers, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Military PIP, and law-enforcement parolees.

7. Do Green-Card Holders Ever Pay?

No. They are protected by exception (7) of §1804.

8. I Used a Single-Use I-512L Before Oct 16 — Do I Pay?

No. You may ignore the notice. Multi-use documents may trigger fees at later entries.

9. What If I Don’t Pay?

You may be denied entry or your parole terminated.

10. Can I Pay at the Airport or Border?

Yes. CBP officers collect the fee at ports of entry.

11. Can I Pay Online Before Travel?

Yes, if your USCIS Account shows a “Pay Now” link.

12. Can I Request a Fee Waiver?

Yes, for humanitarian hardship or public benefit with supporting evidence.

13. How Long Do I Have to Pay?

Typically 14–30 days from notice issuance.

14. What If I Already Paid but Got Another Letter?

Verify in your account and upload the receipt; file an e-Request.

15. Can Families Pay Together?

No — each beneficiary must pay individually.

16. How Does It Affect U4U and CHNV Re-Parole?

Re-parole requests after Oct 16 2025 require payment unless the person has adjusted status.

17. Does It Apply to FRP Programs?

Yes, for all approvals after Oct 16 2025.

18. Is Military PIP Still Free?

Yes. See USCIS Military PIP Program.

19. Why Is PIP Treated Differently?

It is domestic parole for national security and family unity, not a border entry.

20. Could the Fee Ever Apply to PIP?

Only with a new Federal Register rule expanding §1804.

21. What If I Get a Fee Letter for PIP by Mistake?

Do not pay; confirm with your field office or 1-877-CIS-4MIL.

22. Does It Apply to Law-Enforcement Parolees?

No — explicitly exempt under exception (10).

23. Will Payment Affect My Future Green Card?

No. It’s administrative only.

24. Can I Get a Refund if I Was Exempt?

Possibly, through the [USCIS Refund Policy

](https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-refund-policy).

25. How Can I Get Help?

Contact the USCIS Contact Center or Herman Legal Group.

Key Takeaways

• USCIS now collects a $1,000 Immigration Parole Fee under H.R. 1 (Pub. L. 119-21).
• Applies to new or re-parole grants (U4U, CHNV, FRP) after Oct 16 2025.
• Green-card holders and Military PIP families are exempt.
• Fee collected after approval, not during filing.
• Non-payment may lead to denial or removal.
• Always verify your notice via USCIS.gov and consult an immigration attorney before paying.
• The $1,000 fee is for FY 2025 and is subject to annual adjustments for inflation.