Understanding the Annual Asylum Fee: What it is and Why You Must Pay
Juliana LaMendola • May 28, 2026
If you have a pending asylum application in the United States, you will now be required to pay an Annual Asylum Fee (AAF) in order to keep your application pending. Understanding this new fee and why it is important could be the difference between maintaining your pending asylum application and facing removal from the country.
If your asylum application has been pending for more than one year, you will be required to pay an annual fee of $102. The good news is that this fee is charged per asylum application, not per person. This means a family applying together on a single Form I-589 will only pay $102 total. However, it is important to know that there are no fee waivers available for this annual payment.
It is crucial to take this fee seriously because
the consequences for missing your payment are severe. If you receive a notification from USCIS that your fee is due, you will be given
exactly 30 days to pay it. If you fail to pay by the deadline, the government may enforce the following penalties:
- Rejection of your Application: USCIS will reject your pending asylum application.
- Loss of Work Authorization: Any pending applications for employment authorization (Form I-765) based on your asylum case will be denied. Furthermore, if you already have an approved work permit, you will lose your work authorization immediately.
- Risk of Deportation: If you do not have an underlying legal status in the U.S., USCIS may initiate your removal (deportation) from the United States.
Because of the severe consequences of failure to pay the fee within 30 days, it is vitally important to update your address with USCIS. This ensures you will actually receive the payment notice and can pay it on time without jeopardizing your case.
How to Pay:
Paying your fee promptly is the best way to protect your asylum status and work authorization. You can easily check if your fee is due and make your payment online by visiting:
https://my.uscis.gov/accounts/annual-asylum-fee/start/overview
To submit your payment, you will need two important pieces of information:
- Your A-Number (Alien Registration Number).
- The receipt number from your asylum application receipt notice.
Once you enter this information, you will see a blue “Pay and submit” button. You can pay securely using a credit card, debit card, or a transfer from a U.S. bank account.
Always make sure to save a copy of your receipt to ensure you have evidence of payment.
Staying informed and keeping up with the Annual Asylum Fee is an essential part of the asylum process in 2026. Watch your mail for notifications, keep your address updated, and pay your fee as soon as it is due to ensure your case stays on track.
This blog is not intended to be legal advice and nothing here should be construed as establishing an attorney client relationship. Please schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney before acting on any information read here.
Juliana LaMendola
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Each year, many people come to the United States seeking refuge from harm or persecution that they suffered in their home country. Those people apply for Asylum (Form I-589) either before USCIS or in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court.
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