Starting September 30, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rolled out new and increased fees for key immigration forms and travel authorizations. These changes, required under H.R. 1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Public Law 119-21), will directly affect beneficiaries—particularly those who travel frequently across U.S. land borders or who need specific immigration approvals to work and visit.
Here’s what you need to know.
The New Fee Structure
Form I-94 (Land Border Crossings)
- Old Fee: $6
- New Fee: $30
- Impact: A $24 increase for anyone crossing at a land border (primarily travelers from Canada and Mexico).
The good news: once issued, an I-94 is usually valid for multiple re-entries within its authorized period. This means frequent crossers don’t necessarily need to pay the fee every single time—only when the document expires.
ESTA (Visa Waiver Program Travelers)
- Old Fee: $21
- New Fee: $40
- Impact: Nearly doubled in cost.
This change affects travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries (such as much of Europe and parts of Asia) who apply for ESTA before entering the U.S. for temporary visits.
EVUS (Chinese Nationals with 10-Year B1/B2 Visas)
- Old Fee: N/A (no fee)
- New Fee: $30
- Impact: A brand-new cost for Chinese nationals who must enroll in EVUS before traveling with long-term visitor visas.
Why This Matters for Beneficiaries
For H-2A, H-2B, and other temporary workers—and their families—these new costs may add up quickly:
- Border Crossers: Many agricultural and seasonal workers enter through land borders from Mexico. The jump from $6 to $30 per I-94 represents a significant increase in upfront costs.
- Budgeting for Travel: Workers and families visiting from abroad under ESTA will now face nearly double the cost of entry authorization.
- New EVUS Fee: Chinese beneficiaries using 10-year visas will now need to factor in the $30 fee each time they enroll.
- Future Adjustments: The rule also states that these fees will be adjusted annually for inflation, meaning costs are likely to continue rising.
What Workers Should Do
- Plan Ahead: If you are entering through a land border, make sure to budget for the new I-94 fee.
- Check Validity Periods: Once you have an I-94, track its expiration so you don’t pay more often than necessary.
- Ask for Employer Guidance: Many employers may help cover immigration-related costs. It’s worth asking if these new fees will be reimbursed.
- Stay Informed: Fees may rise every year, so keeping up with updates is critical.
The new CBP fee structure increases the cost of cross-border travel and immigration processing for many beneficiaries. While the amounts may seem small individually, they can add up—especially for workers crossing frequently or traveling with families.
At AW Labor, we believe transparency and preparation are key. Knowing about these costs in advance helps workers and their families budget effectively and avoid unexpected financial burdens.
If you have any further questions about how CBL immigration fees and how they may affect your workforce or business operations, please contact us for more information or professional guidance.
