USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fees
On January 9, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that will increase USCIS fees for premium processing to reflect the inflation rate from June 2023 through June 2025.
The USCIS Stabilization Act granted the authority to the DHS to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. These fees will continue to be adjusted and reflect the dollar value of the premium processing services provided by USCIS. The revenue generated by the fee increase will be directed towards premium processing services provided by USCIS, making improvements to the adjudication processes, responding to adjudication demands, and funding USCIS adjudication and naturalization services.
This rule is set to take effect on March 1, 2026. If a request for premium processing is submitted on or after March 1, 2026, the new fee for the specific benefit must be provided. These new fees are highlighted in the table below.
| Form | Previous Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status) | $1,685.00 | $1,780.00 |
| Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (all other available Form I-129 classifications) | $2,805.00 | $2,965.00 |
| Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, employment-based classifications | $2,805.00 | $2,965.00 |
| Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | $1,965.00 | $2,075.00 |
| Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, for certain eligible categories (OPT and STEM-OPT classifications) | $1,685.00 | $1,780.00 |
It is essential to note that to request premium processing, applicants must submit Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, and follow the instructions on the form. Should you need assistance in requesting premium processing for your individual application, please contact the immigration department at Pasricha & Patel, LLC.