I-589 filing fee (Asylum)
Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal: what USCIS charges, by filing category, from the official fee schedule.
Fee by filing category
| Filing Category | Paper Filing Fee | Online Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General Filing | $0 plus Additional Fee(s) | $0 plus Additional Fee(s) |
| Additional Fees Under Pub. L. 119-21 Due at Filing for the Principal Applicant Only. Annual Asylum Fee for the Principal Applicant Only. (USCIS will notify you when this fee is due.) These fees may not be waived. NOTE: As of Feb. 5, 2026, these additional asylum fees under Pub. L. 119-21 do not apply to Ms. L. Settlement Class members and their Qualifying Additional Family Members (QAFMs) filing Form I-589 as a Principal Applicant, pursuant to a court order issued in Ms. L. v. ICE, 18-cv-00428 (S.D. Cal.). | $100 $105 (due as provided in the Notice. Only payable online.) | $100 $105 (due as provided in the Notice.) |
How to pay
Online filings are paid through Pay.gov. For paper filings USCIS no longer accepts personal or business checks, money orders or cashier's checks unless you qualify for an exemption (Form G-1651): pay by credit, debit or prepaid card with Form G-1450 or from a U.S. bank account with Form G-1650. A wrong amount gets the whole filing rejected.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the I-589 fee in 2026?
Form I-589 has no USCIS filing fee, but the principal applicant pays a $100 asylum fee at filing and a $105 annual asylum fee while the case is pending (Pub. L. 119-21). These are the amounts in the USCIS Fee Calculator, updated Oct 28, 2026.
How do I pay the I-589 fee?
Online filings are paid through Pay.gov. For paper filings USCIS no longer accepts personal or business checks, money orders or cashier's checks unless you qualify for an exemption (Form G-1651): pay by credit, debit or prepaid card with Form G-1450 or from a U.S. bank account with Form G-1650. A wrong amount gets the whole filing rejected.
Figures are copied from the official files without changes; derived numbers (changes, backlog estimates) are explained on the methodology page. Not legal advice.