USCIS has announced that it will increase premium processing fees by 5.72% due to inflation.
According to a Federal Register notice scheduled for publication on January 12, the new amounts will go into effect on March 1, 2026.
Below is a full breakdown of the premium processing fee increases:
| Premium Processing Category | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129 for H-1B, E-1, E-2, E-3, H-3, L1 (including Blanket L-1), O, P, Q, or TN filers. | $2,965 | $2,965 |
| Form I-129 for H-2B or R-category filers. | $1,780 | $1,780 |
| Form I-140 for EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 filers | $2,965 | $2,965 |
| Form I-539 for F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, or M-2 filers | $1,965 | $2,075 |
| Form I-765 for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT filers | $1,780 | $1,780 |
Premium processing applications sent prior to March 1 will not be subject to the new fees.
The last premium processing inflation adjustment took effect on February 26, 2024. Due to the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act, USCIS must adjust its premium processing prices every two years.
What premium processing fee increases mean for applicants
For most applicants, USCIS’s premium processing fee increase doesn’t change eligibility for the service. However, it does add another cost to consider, particularly for employers and individuals filing multiple petitions in the same year. Applicants who are already planning to use premium processing may want to factor the March 1, 2026, effective date into their filing strategy and timeline.
Related resources on premium processing
About the Author
Staff Writer
Caryl Espinoza Jaen is a Nicaraguan-born staff writer for Manifest Law. As a writer, he strives to cover complex topics like immigration policy with clarity, accuracy, and precision.
Read bioReviewed By
Immigration Lawyer to Manifest Law
Ana Gabriela Urizar is an award-winning immigration attorney licensed in Arizona and New York. With nearly a decade of experience, she advises global corporations on complex U.S. immigration matters. Originally from Guatemala, Ana Gabriela previously spent close to ten years at the world’s largest immigration firm, managing business immigration matters for leading technology, science, and financial companies. She has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch and Negocios Now’s Tri-State 40 Under 40.
Read bioShare this article:
