Understanding the New $1,000 Immigration Parole Entry Fee

On October 15, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register notice to announce a new parole fee, the passage of which was included in the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill.

The $1,000 parole fee applies to individuals seeking to enter the United States on or after October 16, 2025, who are entering the United States from abroad using their approved “parole.”

Payment of the fee is due upon entry to the United States, not at the time the I-131 parole application is filed, with or approved by DHS. The $1,000 fee is required for each separate parole entry into the United States granted at a Port of Entry (POE) under Section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

If entering the United States at a POE, the $1,000 fee is due at the time of appearance to the POE. If the individual is unable to pay the fee at that time, they will be denied entry into the United States unless they fall into one of the ten exceptions listed below.

Ten Exceptions to the $1,000 Parole Fee

There are ten exceptions to the new fee rule. Individuals who are covered by one of these exceptions are not required to pay the $1000 fee when entering or reentering the United States with parole. Exceptions apply under the following circumstances:

1. The individual has a pending I-485 Application for Adjustment of Status to lawful permanent residency with USCIS, has been issued an Advance Parole Travel Document based on the pending I-485 application, and the individual is returning to the USA with their approved Advance Parole travel document to resume processing of their I-485 application.
2. The individual has a life-threatening medical emergency and cannot obtain necessary treatment in the foreign country in which they reside, and there is insufficient time for the individual to be admitted through the normal visa process.
3. The individual is the parent or legal guardian of an individual who has a life-threatening medical emergency, and that individual is a minor.
4. The individual is needed in the United States to donate an organ or other tissue for transplant, and there is insufficient time for the individual to be admitted through the normal visa process.
5. The individual has a close family member in the United States whose death is imminent, and there is insufficient time for the individual to be admitted through the normal visa process.
6. The individual is seeking to attend the funeral of a close family member, and there is insufficient time for the individual to be admitted through the normal visa process.
7. The individual is an adopted child who has an urgent medical condition, who is in the legal custody of the petitioner for a final adoption-related visa, and whose medical treatment is required before the expected award of a final adoption-related visa.
8. The individual has been returned to a contiguous country pursuant to section 235(b)(2)(C) of the INA and is being paroled into the United States to attend their own immigration hearing.
9. The individual has been granted the status of Cuban and Haitian entrant (as defined in section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980).
10. The Secretary of Homeland Security determines that a significant public benefit has resulted or will result from the parole of an individual who has assisted or will assist the United States government in a law enforcement matter, whose presence is required by the U.S. government in furtherance of such law enforcement matter, and who is inadmissible or does not satisfy the eligibility requirements for admission as a nonimmigrant, or there insufficient time for the individual to be admitted through the normal visa process.

USCIS Parole Fee Notifications

Many individuals are receiving notifications from USCIS advising them of the new parole fee. Receipt of this letter does not necessarily mean that an individual is subject to the fee upon entry or reentry to the United States. The rule does not apply to people who are U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders); nor does it apply to individuals with pending I-485 Applications for permanent residency and who have received Advance Parole Travel Documents based on their pending I-485 application.

For any additional questions surrounding the new parole entry fee or to seek a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, please contact Kolko & Casey, P.C at (303)371-1822.