USCIS Premium Processing New Fees: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced a significant increase in premium processing fees that will impact international students, skilled workers, and U.S. employers. The fee hike follows a final rule published on January 12, 2026, and will take effect for all eligible filings postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.
The revised fee structure applies to several high-demand immigration forms, including:
- Form I-765 (OPT & STEM OPT Work Authorization)
- Form I-129 (H-1B and other work visas)
- Form I-539 (Change or Extension of Status)
- Form I-140 (Employment-Based Green Card Petitions)
Why USCIS Is Increasing Premium Processing Fees
According to the (DHS) Department of Homeland Security, the adjustment is mandated under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which authorizes the agency to review and raise premium processing fees biennially to reflect inflation.
USCIS stated that the updated fees will help:
- Maintain premium processing operations
- Improve adjudication speed
- Reduce immigration backlogs
- Support staffing and infrastructure upgrades
Officials emphasized that premium processing remains optional and does not affect standard filing fees or normal processing timelines.
USCIS Premium Processing New Fees
Below is the updated premium processing fee chart:
Form I-765 (OPT & STEM OPT)
- New Fee: $1,780
- Previous Fee: $1,685
- Increase: $95
This applies to F-1 international students applying for Optional Practical Training or STEM OPT extensions seeking expedited adjudication.
Form I-539 (Change/Extension of Status)
- New Fee: $2,075
- Previous Fee: $1,965
- Increase: $110
This impacts applicants requesting:
- Change of nonimmigrant status
- Extension of stay for F-1, J-1, M-1, and dependents
Form I-129 (H-1B & Other Work Visas)
- New Fee: $2,965
- Previous Fee: $2,805
- Increase: $160
Affected visa categories include:
- H-1B Specialty Occupations
- L-1 Intracompany Transfers
- O-1 Extraordinary Ability
- TN, E-3, and other employment visas
(Some classifications like H-2B and R-1 have separate pricing tiers.)
Form I-140 (Employment-Based Green Cards)
- New Fee: $2,965
- Previous Fee: $2,805
- Increase: $160
This applies to employment immigrant categories such as:
- EB-1
- EB-2
- EB-3
Premium processing for I-140 is widely used to speed up green card sponsorship timelines.
Critical Filing Deadline Rule
USCIS has issued strict guidance regarding the implementation date:
- Filed before March 1, 2026 (postmarked): Old fees apply
- Filed on/after March 1, 2026: New fees required
Any Form I-907 request submitted with incorrect fees after the deadline may be rejected, causing processing delays.
What Is Premium Processing?
Premium processing is an expedited service that guarantees faster adjudication for certain petitions.
Typical processing timeframes include:
- 15 business days – Most work visa petitions
- 30–45 days – Student work authorization and status cases
If USCIS fails to act within the guaranteed window, the premium fee may be refunded while the case continues processing.
Who Will Be Most Affected
International Students (OPT/STEM OPT)
F-1 students seeking faster work authorization approvals will see higher upfront costs. Premium processing is often used when employment start dates are near or delayed EAD approvals risk job loss.
H-1B Employers & Skilled Workers
U.S. companies frequently use premium processing to:
- Meet project start deadlines
- Secure cap-gap employment continuity
- Facilitate visa stamping and travel
The $160 increase per filing could significantly impact corporate immigration budgets.
Employment-Based Green Card Applicants
Applicants using premium processing for Form I-140—especially EB-1 and EB-2 categories—will also face higher costs. However, faster approvals still help accelerate adjustment-of-status eligibility and job portability.
Strategic Filing Tips Before March 1, 2026
Immigration experts recommend proactive planning:
- File premium processing requests early where possible
- Budget for higher immigration costs in FY 2026
- Verify updated fees before submitting Form I-907
- Coordinate H-1B cap filings with new pricing
Incorrect payments can lead to rejection notices and costly refiling delays.
Broader Immigration System Impact
USCIS states that premium processing revenue supports broader agency improvements, including:
- Technology modernization
- Hiring adjudication officers
- Backlog reduction programs
- Digital processing systems
These investments aim to improve service reliability across both premium and standard case types.
The March 1, 2026 premium processing fee increase represents a notable cost shift for international students, employment visa applicants, and sponsoring employers.
While expedited processing is becoming more expensive, demand is expected to remain strong due to strict employment timelines, visa caps, and workforce needs.
Applicants planning OPT filings, H-1B petitions, status changes, or employment-based green card sponsorships should review the updated fee structure carefully and file early where possible to minimize costs and avoid delays.
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