USCIS premium processing fees are increasing under a final rule published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The adjustment is designed to reflect inflation from June 2023 through June 2025 and is authorized by the USCIS Stabilization Act, which allows DHS to update premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. DHS notes these periodic updates help protect the real-dollar value of the premium processing service.
USCIS states that revenue from the increase will support the premium processing program and broader operations, including improvements to adjudication processes, meeting adjudication demand (including backlogs), and funding USCIS adjudication and naturalization services.
Effective date and filing note
The rule is effective March 1, 2026. If your premium processing request is postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, you must include the new fee for the specific benefit you’re requesting.
To request premium processing, you must file Form I-907 (Request for Premium Processing) and follow the form instructions.
New premium processing fees (previous vs. new)
| Form / Benefit | Previous fee | New fee (effective Mar 1, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129 (H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status) | 1,685 USD | 1,780 USD |
| Form I-129 (all other available I-129 classifications: E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, LZ, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1, TN-1, TN-2) | 2,805 USD | 2,965 USD |
| Form I-140 (employment-based classifications: E11, E12, E13, E21 (NIW and non-NIW), E31, E32, EW3) | 2,805 USD | 2,965 USD |
| Form I-539 (F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, M-2) | 1,965 USD | 2,075 USD |
| Form I-765 (certain eligible applications: OPT and STEM OPT) | 1,685 USD | 1,780 USD |
USCIS also notes you may request premium processing only if premium processing has been announced as available for the benefit you’re seeking.