USCIS has announced an increase in premium processing fees, effective March 1, 2026. If you or your clients rely on premium processing to get faster decisions, this change is important to plan for. Premium processing allows certain immigration petitions to be reviewed on an expedited timeline. While the service itself isn’t changing, the cost is going up across most eligible categories.
Why Are Premium Processing Fees Increasing?
USCIS is allowed to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. This latest increase reflects rising operational costs and is intended to help USCIS maintain faster processing timelines for premium cases.
Any Form I-907 filed on or after March 1, 2026, must include the new fee. Requests filed with the old amount may be rejected and returned, causing delays.
Updated USCIS Premium Processing Fees (Effective March 1, 2026)
| Benefit/Form | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Form I-129 — H-2B, R-1 | $1,685 | $1,780 |
| Form I-129 — H-1B, L-1, O-1, P, E, TN | $2,805 | $2,965 |
| Form I-140 — Employment-based immigrant petitions | $2,805 | $2,965 |
| Form I-539 — Status change/extension (F, J, M categories) | $1,965 | $2,075 |
| Form I-765 — Employment Authorization (OPT/STEM-OPT) | $1,685 | $1,780 |
Not every case qualifies for premium processing, so eligibility should always be confirmed before filing.
What This Means for Attorneys and Firms
1. Higher Costs for Clients
Clients using premium processing will need to budget more. This is especially relevant for employers filing multiple H-1B or I-140 cases.
2. Filing Timing Matters
Cases filed close to March 1 should be reviewed carefully. Using the old fee after the effective date can result in rejection and lost time.
3. More Strategic Decisions
With higher fees, some clients may hesitate to use premium processing. Attorneys should help them decide when expedited processing truly makes sense, such as tight start dates, travel needs, or expiring work authorization.
4. Avoid Preventable Delays
Incorrect fees or incomplete filings can cancel out the benefits of premium processing altogether. Accuracy matters more than ever.
Key Takeaways
- Premium processing fees increase on March 1, 2026.
- Old fees used after that date may lead to rejections.
- Attorneys should update client estimates and filing checklists.
- Premium processing remains valuable but should be used thoughtfully.
Final Thought
Premium processing is still a powerful option, but with higher costs, careful planning and clean filings are essential. Attorneys who prepare early and guide clients clearly can avoid unnecessary delays and frustration.
Stay tuned to Imagility’s blog for the latest USCIS updates.
