USCIS to raise premium processing fees starting March 1, 2026

WASHINGTON: The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will adjust premium processing fees to account for inflation, effective March 1, 2026.

The update reflects changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) between June 2023 and June 2025, representing a 5.72 per cent increase over the two-year period.

Under the new rule, any Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, must include the revised fee. The adjustments affect several categories of applications:

• Form I-129 (H-2B or R-1 classifications): $1,685 to $1,780
• Form I-129 (all other eligible classifications): $2,805 to $2,965
• Form I-140 (employment-based immigrant petitions): $2,805 to $2,965
• Form I-539 (F, J, M classifications): $1,965 to $2,075
• Form I-765 (employment authorization): $1,685 to $1,780

The adjustment is made under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which allows the agency to make biennial inflation-based updates to premium processing fees. USCIS said the increase helps maintain the real value of expedited processing and ensures the agency can continue to provide timely services, improve adjudication processes, and manage operational backlogs.

USCIS estimates that the fee increase will generate approximately $77 million in additional revenue annually, which will be used to support agency operations and enhance service delivery for applicants.

Applicants are advised to check the USCIS website for the most up-to-date fee information and ensure the correct amount is submitted with applications postmarked after March 1.

Web Desk