US Premium Processing Fees Increase for Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visas
US premium processing fees increased on March 1, 2026, raising Form I-129 and Form I-140 expedited processing fees to $2,965.
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Implementing a 5.72 per cent inflation adjustment that raises the top-tier Form I-907 premium processing charge to $2,965 for H-1B, L-1, and O-1 cases, the United States Department of Homeland Security has modified its immigration fee schedule.
The Core Transit Update
US immigration processing grids and employer filing channels have implemented new pricing. Starting March 1, 2026, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjusted Form I-907 premium processing fees across several nonimmigrant and immigrant categories.
The increase reflects a biennial inflation adjustment calculated via the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) between June 2023 and June 2025. While regular processing remains available at baseline rates, employers and foreign professionals seeking expedited 15-business-day adjudicative actions must pay the revised fees. Notably, the rule does not apply to consular tourist visas and is an optional expedited fee rather than a universal visa charge.
Premium Processing Fee Schedule & Revenue Estimates
Filing immigration petitions requires tracking current USCIS fee sheets and calculating the total petition cost. The following tables outline the Form I-907 fee adjustments and analyze the government's estimated annual transfer revenues.
| USCIS Petition / Form Category | Underlying Nonimmigrant Classifications | Previous Fee | New Fee (Effective March 1, 2026) | Fee Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-129 (Specialty Class) | H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1, E-2, E-3, TN, P, Q-1 | $2,805 | $2,965 | $160 |
| Form I-129 (Temporary Class) | H-2B, R-1 religious workers | $1,685 | $1,780 | $95 |
| Form I-140 (Immigrant) | Employment-based permanent visas | $2,805 | $2,965 | $160 |
| Form I-539 (Change of Status) | F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, M-2 academic | $1,965 | $2,075 | $110 |
| Form I-765 (Employment Auth) | OPT and STEM OPT student work permissions | $1,685 | $1,780 | $95 |
USCIS Form I-907 Premium Processing fee schedule adjustments.
| USCIS Form / Request Category | Estimated Additional Annual Revenue Transfer | Underlying Funding Intended Use |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129 (Nonimmigrant) | ~$50.13 million ($48.84m other / $1.30m H-2B) | Improve speed & fund benefit services |
| Form I-140 (Immigrant) | ~$21.70 million | Expand administrative processing networks |
| Form I-765 (Employment Auth) | ~$4.77 million | Address high-volume student work volumes |
| Form I-539 (Change of Status) | ~$513,260 | Upgrade digital filing portals |
US government annual premium processing financial estimates.
Traveler Logistics Guide
From a ground-level perspective, the best way to navigate this is to write separate checks for the underlying petition filing fee and the Form I-907 premium processing charge when submitting physical files to the lockbox, as USCIS will reject the entire package if payments are combined and one form has an incorrect calculation. Checking current filing addresses is recommended.
To plan your immigration timeline:
- Allow Safe Consular Windows: Premium processing accelerates USCIS petition review only. It does not shorten the time needed to secure a consular interview overseas.
- Observe Separate Cap Fees: For cap-subject H-1B petitions, the $215 electronic registration fee is separate and must be paid during the registration portal opening.
- Verify Form Editions: USCIS routinely updates form versions. Ensure you download the current Form I-907 edition directly from the official USCIS site before filing.
- Monitor the 15-Day Clock: The premium processing window begins only after USCIS receives the request at the correct lockbox or service center, not on the postmark date.
Infrastructure Impact Assessment
The generation of over $77 million in additional annual transfer revenues through these inflation adjustments supports the digitization of USCIS case processing.
By funding faster document verification systems, reducing backlog volumes, and providing predictable adjudication schedules for businesses, the agency helps multinational companies manage international assignments while maintaining compliance.
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Disclaimer
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