If you are applying for a U.S. work visa or green card and planning to use premium processing, your costs are about to go up.

From March 1, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will increase premium processing fees for several employment-based forms. The updated rule was published on January 12 and reflects a routine inflation adjustment. The last fee revision happened in February 2024.

What Is Premium Processing?

Let’s break it down.

Premium processing is an optional, paid service offered by USCIS. If you choose it, the agency promises to process your case within a fixed time, usually 15 or 30 calendar days, depending on the form.

• It does not improve your chances of approval.
• It does not guarantee a visa.
• It simply speeds up the decision.

If USCIS misses the deadline, it refunds the premium fee but continues processing the case promptly.

Why People Use It

• Employers need workers to start on time
• Employees have travel plans
• Students on OPT want faster work authorization
• Companies face project deadlines

In short, it saves time. But now, it will cost more.

New Premium Processing Fees From March 1, 2026

The higher fees apply to applications postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. Here’s a simplified breakdown:

Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker)

The Form I-140 is commonly used for employment-based green card categories.

• Current fee: $2,805
• New fee: $2,965
• Increase: $160

Form I-129 (Nonimmigrant Worker Petitions)

Form I-129 covers several popular work visas, including the H-1B visa and others.

Standard categories:

• Current fee: $2,805
• New fee: $2,965
• Increase: $160

For H-2B and R-1 categories:

• Current fee: $1,685
• New fee: $1,780
• Increase: $95

Form I-539 (Change or Extension of Status)

This form is often used by dependents or individuals extending their stay in the U.S.

• Current fee: $1,965
• New fee: $2,075
• Increase: $110

Form I-765 (F-1 OPT Work Authorization)

This affects international students applying for Optional Practical Training work permits.

• Current fee: $1,685
• New fee: $1,780
• Increase: $95

USCIS Premium Processing Fee Changes (Effective March 1, 2026)

If the premium processing request is postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, the new fees will apply.

How This Affects Your Application

Here’s the key point.

Premium processing is optional. You can still file normally and avoid the extra cost. But regular processing can take months, sometimes longer, depending on visa type and workload.

If timing is critical, the higher fee may still be worth it.

For employers, especially those filing multiple H-1B or employment-based green card petitions, the increase adds up quickly. Budget planning will become more important.

For international students and foreign workers, it means slightly higher upfront costs during an already expensive immigration process.

Why USCIS Is Increasing Fees

USCIS adjusts premium processing fees every two years to keep up with inflation. This change is part of that routine cycle. It is not tied to the new immigration policy. It is simply a financial adjustment.

What You Should Do Now

If you plan to use premium processing:

• File before March 1, 2026, to lock in current fees
• Double-check postmark dates
• Confirm updated fee amounts with your employer or immigration lawyer

Small timing decisions can save a few hundred dollars.

Final Thoughts

Premium processing remains one of the fastest ways to move a U.S. work visa or green card case forward. The service itself is not changing. Only the price is.

If speed matters, you will likely still use it. If budget matters more, regular processing remains an option. Either way, from March 1, 2026, it will cost more to skip the line.

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