US Premium Processing Visa Fees to Increase from March 1, 2026
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a fee hike for USCIS premium processing services, effective March 1, 2026. This change applies to all applications filed on or after that date.
The revision is made under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which allows biennial fee adjustments to account for inflation (June 2023–June 2025).
Revised Premium Processing Fees (Effective March 1, 2026)
| USCIS Form | Visa / Application Category | Old Fee | New Fee |
| I-129 | H-2B, R-1 | $1,685 | $1,780 |
| I-129 | H-1B, L-1, O, TN, E, P, Q (and others) | $2,805 | $2,965 |
| I-140 | EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 (Employment-based Green Cards) | $2,805 | $2,965 |
| I-539 | F-1, F-2, J-1 status change | $1,965 | $2,075 |
| I-765 | OPT & STEM OPT (Work Authorization) | $1,685 | $1,780 |
Form I-907 must be filed with the new fee from March 1 onward.
Who Will Be Affected Most?
- Students applying for OPT / STEM OPT
- Professionals applying for H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN
- Employers sponsoring employment-based green cards
- Applicants requesting faster adjudication
Important Rules to Note
- Old fees paid after March 1, 2026 may lead to rejection or delays
- Only applications filed before March 1, 2026 qualify for current fees
- Premium processing timelines remain unchanged (fees only revised)
Why Is USCIS Increasing the Fees?
- To adjust for inflation
- To reduce application backlogs
- To strengthen USCIS adjudication capacity
- To ensure faster and more reliable processing
Strategic Advice from Asif Consulting for 2026 Applicants
- Apply before March 1, 2026, if premium processing is planned
- Budget higher immigration costs for H-1B, OPT, and EB categories
Ensure correct fee payment to avoid technical rejections
