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USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fees for All Visas: Know the New Fees by Category

USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fees for All Visas: Know the New Fees by Category

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant change to premium processing fees, with increases that will take effect on March 1, 2026. These changes apply across both non-immigrant work visas and employment-based immigration petitions. If you depend on faster processing to meet career milestones or visa deadlines, the new fee structure directly affects your immigration planning and budget.

Premium processing is an optional service that allows petitioners to request an expedited decision from USCIS. Instead of waiting for standard processing times, which can stretch into months, USCIS guarantees action in approximately 15 calendar days.

Petitioners request this service by filing Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, along with the applicable fee. However, starting March 1, 2026, the fees for this service have increased to reflect inflation measured between June 2023 and June 2025 under the USCIS Stabilization Act.

Here, our EB-1A green card consultancy has covered everything you need to know about this fee hike.

Why the fee increase matters

USCIS adjusts certain fees every two years to keep pace with inflation and ensure the viability of premium services. The agency says this revenue supports the expedited service itself and broader adjudication operations like reducing backlogs. Our EB-1A Experts in immigration law note that planning for these changes will be very crucial for employers and applicants who rely on timely approvals.

Let’s take a look at a data-driven breakdown of the old versus the new fee schedule that takes effect on or after March 1, 2026:

These revisions mean most premium processing fees will rise by roughly 5 to 6 percent. For many applicants, like employers filing multiple petitions, the increases can add up quickly.

Who will be the most affected by the fee hike?

Nonimmigrant workers and employers

Employers petitioning for nonimmigrant workers in categories such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and other temporary worker visas will see the premium processing fee rise from $2,805 to $2,965 for most classifications. The smaller bump from $1,685 to $1,780 applies to H-2B and R-1 petitions. This increase affects high-demand employment visas that professionals and companies rely on for rapid hiring and project starts.

Employment-based immigrant petitions

Form I-140, the immigrant petition underlying many employment-based green card categories (EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and EB-3) also sees its premium processing fee rise to $2,965. This means a higher upfront cost for immigrants who are seeking to accelerate their green card petitions.

Students and temporary status holders

Individuals applying for extensions or changes of nonimmigrant status under J, F, or M categories will now need to pay $2,075 for premium processing. Similarly, eligible F-1 students filing for OPT or STEM OPT work authorization can expect the premium processing fee to increase to $1,780. These changes may influence international student planning, and likewise, employment start dates tied to OPT.

Planning ahead

In this context, it is important to note that USCIS will reject Form I-907 requests submitted on or after March 1, 2026, if they include the old fees. Petitioners should verify the correct fee before mailing their package or filing electronically to avoid delays or rejections.

This fee adjustment is part of a broader trend of rising immigration service costs. In late 2025, other USCIS filing fees for standard petitions and applications were also adjusted for inflation.

These updates are particularly relevant for professionals relying on timing, such as EB-1A green card seekers who may use premium processing to secure faster decisions that align with their job offers or priority timelines.

Our EB-1A consultants are always staying vigilant to take note of all the changes and updates in the international immigration landscape. For more personalized suggestions and queries regarding a Green card, reach out to us directly.

We wish you a smooth and stress-free immigration journey.

Source:https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-increase-premium-processing-fees

 

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