What is the story about?
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will increase premium processing fees across several visa categories. Effective March 1, 2026, these adjustments apply strictly to applicants and employers who opt for expedited processing.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is authorised to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. The latest increase reflects inflation levels from June 2023 to June 2025.
“The USCIS Stabilization Act established the authority for DHS to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. Fees will continue to be adjusted agencywide to account for inflation and protect the real dollar value of the premium processing service we provide,” according to an official statement by USCIS.
The premium processing fee for Form I-129, petitions for H-2B or R-1 non-immigrant status, will rise from $1,685 to $1,780. For other Form I-129 classifications, including H-1B, the fee will increase from $2,805 to $2,965.
The same fee will apply to Form I-140 immigrant petitions for alien workers across employment-based categories, which is an increase from the previous $2,805.
Certain applications for non-immigrant status extension or change will also be impacted. The premium processing cost for Form I-539 applications filed by F-1 and F-2 students, J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors, and M-1 and M-2 vocational students will rise from $1,965 to $2,075.
USCIS has announced that the premium processing cost for Form I-765 applications, which cover Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM-OPT classifications, will increase from $1,685 to $1,780.
The changes is expected to affect many Indian professionals, students, and companies, as they account for a bigger share of H-1B, L-1, and other similar applications.
Premium processing is entirely voluntary and is mostly used by companies and applicants who require speedier adjudication deadlines for reasons such as job changes, visa renewals, travel arrangements, or obtaining clarity on their status more quickly.
"The revenue generated by this fee increase will be used to provide premium processing services; make improvements to adjudication processes; respond to adjudication demands, including processing backlogs; and otherwise fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services," the statement read.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is authorised to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. The latest increase reflects inflation levels from June 2023 to June 2025.
“The USCIS Stabilization Act established the authority for DHS to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. Fees will continue to be adjusted agencywide to account for inflation and protect the real dollar value of the premium processing service we provide,” according to an official statement by USCIS.
The premium processing fee for Form I-129, petitions for H-2B or R-1 non-immigrant status, will rise from $1,685 to $1,780. For other Form I-129 classifications, including H-1B, the fee will increase from $2,805 to $2,965.
The same fee will apply to Form I-140 immigrant petitions for alien workers across employment-based categories, which is an increase from the previous $2,805.
Certain applications for non-immigrant status extension or change will also be impacted. The premium processing cost for Form I-539 applications filed by F-1 and F-2 students, J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors, and M-1 and M-2 vocational students will rise from $1,965 to $2,075.
USCIS has announced that the premium processing cost for Form I-765 applications, which cover Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM-OPT classifications, will increase from $1,685 to $1,780.
The changes is expected to affect many Indian professionals, students, and companies, as they account for a bigger share of H-1B, L-1, and other similar applications.
Premium processing is entirely voluntary and is mostly used by companies and applicants who require speedier adjudication deadlines for reasons such as job changes, visa renewals, travel arrangements, or obtaining clarity on their status more quickly.
"The revenue generated by this fee increase will be used to provide premium processing services; make improvements to adjudication processes; respond to adjudication demands, including processing backlogs; and otherwise fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services," the statement read.
| Form | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, H-2B or R-1 non-immigrant status | $1,685 | $1,780 |
| Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker, all other available Form I-129 classifications: E-1 E-2 E-3 H-1B H-3 L-1A L-1B LZ O-1 O-2 P-1 P-1S P-2 P-2S P-3 P-3S Q-1 TN-1 TN-2 |
$2,805 | $2,965 |
| Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, employment-based classifications: E11 E12 E13 E21 (NIW and non-NIW) E31 E32 EW3 |
$2,805 | $2,965 |
| Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting: F-1 F-2 J-1 J-2 M-1 M-2 |
$1,965 | $2,075 |
| Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, for certain eligible applications (OPT and STEM-OPT Classifications) | $1,685 | $1,780 |
