USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees

By: Kirti Kala

Overview

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is publishing a final rule that will increase U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fees for premium processing to reflect the amount of inflation. The new fees will apply to premium processing postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.

Background

DHS is updating the premium processing fee amounts in the USCIS fees regulations to reflect 5.72% inflation, measured using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, from June 2023 to June 2025.

Who is Affected

• Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker:
  • H-2B and R-1: premium processing fee was $1,685, will increase to $1,780
  • All other eligible I-129 classifications premium processing fee was $2,805, will increase to $2,965:
    • E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, LZ, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1, TN-1, & TN-2
• Form I-140, Petition for an Immigrant Worker:
  • Eligible premium processing classifications premium processing fee was $2,805, will increase to $2,965:
    • E11, E12, E13, E21 (NIW and non-NIW), E31, E32 & EW3
• Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status:
  • Eligible categories premium processing fee was $1,965, will increase to $2,075:
    • F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, & M-2
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization:
  • Eligible categories premium processing fee was $1,685, will increase to $1,780:
    • F-1 OPT & Stem OPT

Impact on Applicants

Incorrect fee amounts can cause rejections or delays. This is especially important for filings around March 1, 2026. Different premium processing tiers apply depending on the case type. For example, some Form I-129 classifications use $1,780, while many others use $2,965. USCIS indicated it will update Form G-1055 (Fee Schedule) to reflect the changes.

How to Prepare

Confirm mailing/postmark timing if you are trying to file under the current fee schedule Double-check fee payments before filing: Premium processing fees must be paid in addition to other filing fees and generally must be in a separate remittance and cannot be waived.

For any questions or assistance please contact your trusted Chugh, LLP immigration professional.