USCIS Premium Processing Fees Increasing March 1, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a final rule raising premium processing fees across key employment‑based immigration categories, effective March 1, 2026. The increases reflect inflation measured from June 2023 through June 2025 under the USCIS Stabilization Act.

Premium processing remains an optional service that provides guaranteed expedited adjudication (15, 30, or 45 days depending on the classification). Any filing postmarked on or after March 1 must include the updated fee or it will be rejected.

Key Changes Relevant to Employers and Corporate Mobility Programs

·      Form I‑129 – Nonimmigrant Worker Petitions

o   H‑1B, L‑1, O‑1, P‑1, TN, E classifications: $2,965 (previously $2,805)

·      Form I‑140 – Employment‑Based Green Card Petitions

o   All EB categories (EB‑1, EB‑2/NIW, EB‑3): $2,965 (previously $2,805)

·      Form I‑539 – Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

o   F‑1/F‑2, J‑1/J‑2, M‑1/M‑2: $2,075 (previously $1,965)

·      Form I‑765 – Employment Authorization (OPT / STEM‑OPT): $1,780 (previously $1,685)

These increases affect core business‑immigration filings used to support hiring, mobility, project timelines, and workforce continuity.

Why the Fees Are Increasing

USCIS attributes these adjustments to inflation and ongoing operational needs. Revenue from the increased fees will fund:

o   Backlog reduction

o   Adjudication process improvements

o   Staffing and IT modernization

o   Continued support for naturalization and broader agency operations

USCIS also confirmed it will begin issuing quarterly reports detailing how premium‑processing revenue is used—an accountability measure welcomed by the business immigration community but it remains to be seen whether this increased revenue will help reduce processing times and improve service reliability.