For families seeking asylum in Arizona, waiting for a decision can already bring years of uncertainty. Now, many asylum seekers must also keep track of a new annual payment that could affect their application and, in some cases, their ability to work legally in the United States.
As of 2026, the federal government charges a $102 Annual Asylum Fee for certain Form I-589 asylum applications that have remained pending for at least one year. The government originally established the fee at $100 and increased it to $102 on January 1, 2026, as part of an inflation adjustment.
At Ybarra Maldonado Law Group, we know how easily a missed letter, an old address, or confusion about which agency controls a case can put an immigrant family at risk. This guide explains who may owe the fee, how payment works, and what Arizona families can do to protect their pending asylum cases.
What Is the Annual Asylum Fee?
The Annual Asylum Fee, sometimes called the AAF, is a recurring government fee connected to pending asylum applications.
An applicant may become responsible for the fee once their Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, has remained pending for 365 days or longer. If the case continues for another year, the applicant may have to pay the fee again.
The current fee is $102, and the government does not permit a fee waiver or reduction. That means financial hardship alone does not currently excuse an applicant from paying.
This annual payment is separate from any initial filing fee that may apply when someone first submits an asylum application.
Who May Need to Pay the Annual Asylum Fee in 2026?
The fee generally applies when:
- A Form I-589 asylum application remains pending for at least one year.
- The case is still open with USCIS, an immigration court, or potentially the Board of Immigration Appeals.
- The applicant has received a notice or written order requiring payment, depending on which agency controls the case.
A person who has not yet filed an asylum application does not owe the annual fee. Similarly, someone whose asylum case has already ended generally would not owe another annual payment for that closed application.
Because asylum cases can move between agencies, families should first determine where the application is currently pending before attempting to pay.
Is the Fee Charged Per Person or Per Application?
The government generally charges one annual fee for each Form I-589 application—not for every family member listed on the same application.
For example, if one parent filed a single asylum application that includes a spouse and two children as derivatives, the fee would generally be $102 for that application, not $408.
However, if multiple family members each submitted separate Form I-589 applications, each individual application may require a separate annual payment.
This distinction matters. Families should review their filing receipts and immigration records before assuming how many payments they owe.
How to Handle the Fee When Your Case Is Pending With USCIS
USCIS handles what are commonly known as affirmative asylum applications. If your case remains with USCIS, the agency is expected to notify you when your annual payment becomes due.
USCIS generally provides a 30-day payment window after issuing its notification. Beginning May 29, 2026, USCIS stated that it would enforce consequences against applicants who do not pay within the required period.
Not every applicant receives the notice on time. Some asylum seekers have reportedly discovered that payment was due only after checking the USCIS payment system themselves. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project recommends that applicants with cases pending for more than one year check the system regularly instead of relying entirely on mailed notices.
To check a USCIS case, an applicant may need:
- Their Alien Registration Number, commonly called an A-Number.
- The receipt number associated with the Form I-589.
- Access to the USCIS Annual Asylum Fee payment page.
- A credit card, debit card, prepaid card, or qualifying U.S. bank account if payment is due.
When the payment is completed, applicants should save the confirmation, receipt, and Agency Tracking ID. The tracking number may only appear during the payment process, so taking a screenshot can help preserve important evidence.
What Could Happen If You Do Not Pay USCIS on Time?
Missing a USCIS annual asylum fee deadline can carry severe consequences.
USCIS has stated that it may reject a pending asylum application when an applicant fails to pay the fee within 30 days of notification. According to current government guidance, nonpayment may also affect asylum-based employment authorization. If the person has no other lawful immigration status, USCIS may initiate removal proceedings.
These consequences make it essential to act quickly after receiving any notice connected to an asylum case.
If the online system says that the payment period has expired—even though you never received a notice—save a screenshot of that message, document the date, and speak with an immigration attorney as soon as possible. Do not assume that the problem will correct itself.
How the Fee Works in Immigration Court
The process is different when an asylum application is part of removal proceedings before an immigration judge.
For immigration court cases, the judge is expected to issue a written order concerning the Annual Asylum Fee. The order should identify the payment requirement and deadline. EOIR currently lists the fee as $102 and requires payment through the EOIR Payment Portal.
Applicants must select the filing type for the Form I-589 Annual Asylum Fee, enter their A-Number, and complete the electronic payment. Afterward, the system generates a receipt containing a Payment Tracking ID. EOIR advises applicants to save or print the receipt immediately because it is not automatically emailed.
We also recommend keeping multiple copies of all payment records. A family may need to provide proof to:
- The immigration court.
- The immigration judge.
- The government attorney.
- Their own immigration lawyer.
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project notes that some court deadlines may be extremely short. Families should therefore open every court notice immediately and contact their attorney rather than waiting until their next scheduled hearing.
What Happens If You Miss an Immigration Court Deadline?
When an immigration judge orders payment, failing to pay by the deadline can place the asylum application in serious danger. The judge may deny, dismiss, or treat the application as abandoned, depending on the circumstances and applicable legal procedures.
A family should never ignore an order simply because they disagree with the fee, cannot afford it, or previously paid USCIS. If the case transferred between agencies or a prior payment may apply, an attorney can help present the receipt and explain the case history to the court.
What About Cases Before the Board of Immigration Appeals?
Cases pending before the Board of Immigration Appeals, or BIA, can be more complicated.
EOIR states that an immigration judge or the BIA will provide a written order concerning the fee. However, questions remain about how the BIA will implement payment requirements in every situation, particularly when someone previously paid while the case was before an immigration judge.
Applicants with a pending appeal should carefully review every BIA notice and speak with an attorney before deciding where or how to submit payment. Paying through the wrong system may not automatically prove compliance with a BIA order.
How Can I Determine Where My Asylum Case Is Pending?
Before paying, determine whether the case is controlled by:
- USCIS
- An immigration court
- The Board of Immigration Appeals
Applicants can check the immigration court system using their A-Number. If the system shows an upcoming hearing or a pending case, the application is likely before an immigration judge. If it shows that an appeal was received, the case may be with the BIA.
If the immigration court system does not locate the case, review the USCIS Form I-589 receipt and check the case status using its receipt number. Cases that have transferred from USCIS to court require additional care because a payment made to one agency may not automatically appear in the other agency’s records.
Five Steps Arizona Families Should Take Now
1. Find the Form I-589 filing date
Determine whether the asylum application has been pending for at least one year. Do not rely only on memory. Review the filing receipt, court-stamped application, or attorney records.
2. Confirm which agency controls the case
The payment process for USCIS is different from the process used by an immigration court or the BIA.
3. Check mail and online accounts frequently
Review physical mail, email messages, USCIS accounts, and immigration court records. Make sure the government and your attorney have your current address.
4. Save every receipt and tracking number
Keep digital and printed copies. Include the date paid, amount, payment portal, receipt, Agency Tracking ID, or EOIR Payment Tracking ID.
5. Get legal help immediately if something looks wrong
Seek help when:
- The payment portal says the deadline expired.
- You never received a notice.
- Your case transferred from USCIS to immigration court.
- You previously paid through another agency.
- You do not know whether your application remains pending.
- The court gave you a very short deadline.
- Your work permit or asylum application may already have been affected.
Do Not Let a Missed Notice Decide Your Family’s Future
The immigration system places an enormous administrative burden on people who are already waiting through uncertainty. Families may move, mail may arrive late, online accounts may be difficult to access, and government instructions may change while a case remains pending.
But a missed payment can now threaten much more than $102. It may affect an asylum application, employment authorization, and a family’s ability to remain together in the United States.
At Ybarra Maldonado Law Group, we believe asylum seekers deserve clear information, honest guidance, and an advocate who treats their case with urgency and dignity. An experienced immigration attorney in Phoenix can help determine where your application is pending, review any annual fee notice or court order, and protect the record showing that you complied with the government’s requirements.
If you or a loved one has an asylum application pending in Arizona, do not wait until the deadline has passed. Contact Ybarra Maldonado Law Group to discuss your case and understand the next step.
This article provides general educational information and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules, fees, procedures, and court orders may change. Speak with a qualified immigration attorney about your individual circumstances.