U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that it will increase premium processing fees for many popular visa categories, effective March 1, 2026. This fee adjustment is intended to account for inflation and will fund improvements in adjudication processes and help reduce backlogs. The fee for premium processing of Form I-129 petitions for H-1B, L-1, and O-1 visas will rise from $2,805 to $2,965. Similarly, the fee for Form I-140 immigrant petitions for alien workers will also increase to $2,965. The premium processing fee for Form I-765 applications for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for F-1 students on OPT or STEM OPT will increase from $1,685 to $1,780. This fee increase is authorized by the USCIS Stabilization Act, which allows for biennial adjustments based on inflation. The additional revenue is expected to enhance service delivery and efficiency. Petitioners and applicants who file for premium processing on or after March 1, 2026, must submit the new, higher fee to avoid rejection of their request. This is a significant visa update for employers and foreign nationals who rely on the expedited processing service. Immigration news 2026, visa updates, policy changes.
USCIS to Hike Premium Processing Fees Starting March 2026
USCIS will increase premium processing fees for various visa categories, including H-1B, L-1, and I-140 petitions, effective March 1, 2026.
What This Means for You:
- Key Point 1: Employers and individuals utilizing premium processing will face higher costs for expedited application review after March 1, 2026.
- Who Should Be Concerned: U.S. employers, foreign professionals, and students who rely on the 15-day premium processing service for timely adjudication of their petitions and applications.
- Timeline for Action: The new fees are effective for all premium processing requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.
- Next Steps: File premium processing requests before March 1, 2026, to take advantage of the current, lower fees. Update budgets to account for the increased costs for future filings. Consult with an immigration attorney to ensure compliance with the new fee schedule.
Source: Uscis.gov