USCIS Premium Processing Fees Rise: New Rates Effective March 1, 2026 – Up to $2965 for I-140 & I-129
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 12 hours ago
Published: 2026-02-19T09:15+05:30 (IST)
By Xavio
USCIS has confirmed a scheduled increase in premium processing fees for several key employment-based immigration forms. The new higher rates will apply to all requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, following the final rule published in January 2026.
This biennial inflationary adjustment — the first since February 2024 — raises the standard premium processing fee from $2,805 to $2,965 for most petitions, with smaller increases for certain other categories.
Updated USCIS Premium Processing Fees (Effective March 1, 2026)
Form / Case Type | Current Fee (until Feb 28, 2026) | New Fee (from March 1, 2026) | Increase Amount |
Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition) | $2,805 | $2,965 | +$160 |
Form I-129 (Nonimmigrant Worker – General) | $2,805 | $2,965 | +$160 |
Form I-129 (H-2B & R-1 only) | $1,685 | $1,780 | +$95 |
Form I-539 (Extension/Change of Status) | $1,965 | $2,075 | +$110 |
Form I-765 (F-1 OPT Employment Authorization) | $1,685 | $1,780 | +$95 |
These fees cover the 15-calendar-day (or 30-day for certain categories) premium processing guarantee for faster adjudication.
Why the Increase & What It Means for Employers & Applicants
USCIS adjusts premium processing fees every two years to reflect inflation and maintain service levels. The hike is modest (roughly 5–6% for most categories) and aligns with broader federal fee review policies.
For employers sponsoring foreign talent (especially Indian professionals in IT, engineering, healthcare, and seasonal roles), the change adds $95–$160 per case. Companies planning I-140 immigrant petitions, H-1B extensions, L-1 transfers, or H-2B seasonal worker filings should:
Submit premium processing requests before March 1, 2026, to lock in the current lower rate
Build the expected increase into 2026–2027 immigration budgets
Coordinate early with legal teams to meet postmark deadlines
This adjustment comes amid ongoing discussions on USCIS funding and processing backlogs, but premium processing remains a reliable fast-track option for eligible cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still pay the old fee if I file in late February?
Yes — as long as the request is postmarked on or before February 28, 2026, the current fee applies.
Q: Does this affect all premium processing categories?
No — only the listed forms (I-140, I-129, I-539, certain I-765). Other forms like I-907 standalone requests follow the same general increase where applicable.
Q: Will processing times change with the fee hike?
USCIS has committed to maintaining the 15-day (or 30-day) adjudication clock; the fee increase funds continued service levels.
Q: Is premium processing still available for H-2B?
Yes — the lower tier for H-2B and R-1 petitions rises from $1,685 to $1,780.
Q: Where can I see the official rule?
Check the Federal Register notice from January 2026 or the USCIS premium processing page.
For official USCIS fee schedules, premium processing rules, and the latest updates on employment-based petitions, visit the USCIS Premium Processing page
For practical guides on timing I-140/I-129 filings, managing premium processing costs, and navigating U.S. work visa strategies for Indian applicants in 2026, explore our dedicated U.S. immigration section.
(Also see our related post on current operational impacts: DHS Funding Lapse – Immigration Processing Expected to Continue Amid Potential Shutdown)
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