The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced plans to increase premium visa processing fees for several key immigration forms.
The agency said the move is to reflect inflation adjustments from June 2023 through June 2025.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule detailing these changes, which will take effect on March 1, 2026.
Applicants submitting Form I-907, Request for Premium Visa Processing Service, postmarked on or after this date must include the updated fees to avoid rejection.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that premium visa processing fees allow eligible petitioners to expedite USCIS adjudication of certain petitions and applications, typically guaranteeing a decision within 15 or 30 business days (depending on the form).
This service is particularly valuable for employers, individuals, and organizations facing time-sensitive employment, travel, or status needs.
The upcoming adjustment is authorized under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which permits biennial inflation-based increases to maintain the real value of the premium processing service.
The changes are based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), resulting in a moderate overall rise of approximately 5.72% over the two years.
Below are the details of the fee increment:
• For most classifications on Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker), such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, and others: from $2,805 to $2,965.
• For Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, for certain eligible applications (OPT and STEM-OPT Classifications): from $1,685 to $1,780.
• Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status: from $1,685 to $1,780.
• For Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers) in eligible categories: from $2,805 to $2,965.
• Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting: from $1,965 to $2,075.
USCIS, in a statement posted on its official website, emphasized that the revenue from premium processing fees is dedicated to enhancing efficiency and maintaining timely processing for premium requests
Petitioners are advised to review the official fee schedule on the USCIS website and ensure correct payment when filing after March 1, 2026.
The statement reads: “The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is publishing a final rule that will increase USCIS fees for premium processing to reflect the amount of inflation from June 2023 through 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. 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.
“This rule is effective on March 1, 2026. If you submit a request for premium processing postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, you must include the new fee for the specific benefit you are requesting. The new fees are listed in the table below. To request premium processing, you must submit Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, and follow the form instructions.”
