Published: 25.09.2026
Since 2026, asylum applicants have been required to pay a fee for employment authorization, with eligibility generally arising 180 days after filing Form I-589. A DHS proposed rule dated February 23, 2026 would increase the waiting period to 365 days.
According to the source, asylum applicants must account for both the employment-authorization waiting period and a new EAD fee of about 560 for most applicants, without a fee waiver. If the DHS proposal is implemented, access to legal employment could be delayed for roughly a year instead of 180 days. This matters especially for people who need income soon after filing Form I-589, as both relocation costs and the timeline to financial independence would change. Asylum applicants in the United States or at a port of entry should monitor this development closely.