U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that premium processing fees will increase beginning March 1, 2026. These changes apply to a wide range of employment-based and nonimmigrant filings and will affect employers, employees, students, and applicants who rely on expedited adjudication.
The increase reflects inflation adjustments authorized under the USCIS Stabilization Act and will apply to Form I-907 requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.
What Is Premium Processing?
Premium processing is an optional USCIS service that allows eligible petitions and applications to be adjudicated within a guaranteed timeframe (typically 15 calendar days), in exchange for an additional filing fee.
Many employers and applicants use premium processing to:
- Meet business deadlines
- Avoid work authorization gaps
- Expedite travel or start dates
- Reduce uncertainty during long adjudication backlogs
New Premium Processing Fees (Effective March 1, 2026)
Below is a summary of the current vs. new premium processing fees announced by USCIS.
Premium Processing Fee Increase Table
| Form / Case Type | Previous Fee | New Fee (March 1, 2026) |
| Form I-129 (H-2B, R-1) | $1,685 | $1,780 |
| Form I-129 (All other classifications including H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, O-2, P, TN, E-1, E-2, E-3) | $2,805 | $2,965 |
| Form I-140 (Employment-based immigrant petitions including EB-1, EB-2, NIW, EB-3) | $2,805 | $2,965 |
| Form I-539 (F, J, M extensions/changes) | $1,965 | $2,075 |
| Form I-765 (OPT and STEM OPT) | $1,685 | $1,780 |
When Do the New Fees Apply?
- The new fees apply to premium processing requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026
- Requests filed before March 1, 2026 must include the current fee
- USCIS will reject filings with incorrect premium processing fees
Timing matters, especially for employers planning H-1B, L-1, O-1, or PERM-related filings early in 2026.
Who Will Be Most Affected by This Increase?
The fee increase will most directly affect:
- Employers sponsoring H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN workers
- Companies filing I-140 immigrant petitions
- International students using premium processing for OPT or STEM OPT
- Applicants relying on expedited processing due to travel or employment start dates
For high-volume employers, these increases can significantly affect annual immigration budgets.
Planning Considerations for Employers and Applicants
With higher premium processing costs, employers and applicants may want to:
- Review which cases truly require premium processing
- Adjust immigration budgets for 2026
- File eligible cases before March 1, 2026 where timing allows
- Coordinate start dates, travel plans, and work authorization timelines carefully
Strategic planning can help reduce unnecessary expense while still meeting business needs.
How NPZ Law Group Can Help
NPZ Law Group advises employers and individuals on:
- Premium vs. regular processing strategy
- Filing timelines ahead of fee increases
- Cost-effective immigration planning
- Employment-based petitions and extensions
- Work authorization continuity and compliance
If you have filings planned for early 2026, reviewing timing and strategy now may help avoid higher costs or processing delays.
Final Takeaway
USCIS’s premium processing fee increase is part of a broader effort to adjust government fees for inflation. While premium processing remains available, the higher costs make advance planning more important than ever.
Understanding when the new fees apply—and how they affect your specific case—can help you make informed decisions.
Contact Information Â
If you or your family members have any questions about how immigration and nationality laws in the United States may affect you, or if you want to access additional information about immigration and nationality laws in the United States or Canada, please do not hesitate to contact the immigration and nationality lawyers at NPZ Law Group. You can reach us by emailing info@visaserve.com or by calling us at 201-670-0006 extension 104. We also invite you to visit our website at www.visaserve.com for more information.