On January 12, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a rule to increase filing fees for Premium Processing requests. The fee increase, which is due to inflation-based adjustments, will take effect on March 1, 2026. All requests postmarked on or after that date must be accompanied by the increased fee.
Premium Processing provides, for an additional filing fee, expedited and guaranteed processing of applications and petitions for designated immigration benefits within a specific timeframe. Most employment‑based petitions are guaranteed a response – either an adjudication or issuance of a request to submit additional evidence – within 15 business days. Categories eligible for 15-day Premium Processing include most nonimmigrant visa petitions (filed on Form I‑129), including in the H‑1B, L‑1, O‑1, E, and TN categories, and most employment‑based immigrant visa petitions (filed on Form I‑140). Premium Processing for immigrant visa petitions for multinational managers and for national interest waivers is also available but guarantee a response within 45 business days.
The current Premium Processing fee for all of these categories is $2,805. On March 1, 2026, this fee will increase to $2,965. The new fee will apply to Premium Processing requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.
The Premium Processing fee for I-765 Applications for Employment Authorization (for OPT and STEM OPT applications) will be increased from $1,685 to $1,780, while I-539 Change of Nonimmigrant Status applications (for F, J, and M nonimmigrants) is being raised from $1,965 to $2,075.
Since taking office, the current administration has implemented a number of significant changes to immigration policies that impact employers. Employers should continue to monitor agency guidance and legal developments closely, as these changes can impact risks associated with compliance, workforce planning, and operational continuity.
Vorys attorneys are closely tracking updates on USCIS fee increases and other changes to immigration policies that affect employers and their foreign national workers. We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
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