US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed an increase in premium processing fees across multiple immigration categories, with the updated rates taking effect from March 1 for major work- and study-related applications.
USCIS said the revised fees account for inflation between June 2023 and June 2025, with the increase intended to keep premium processing charges in line with higher operational and administrative expenses.
Premium processing charges for Form I-129 petitions covering H-2B and R-1 nonimmigrant categories will rise from $1,685 to $1,780 under the updated fee schedule announced by USCIS.
Premium processing fees for most Form I-129 categories, including H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1 and TN visas, will increase from $2,805 to $2,965.
Premium processing for Form I-140 immigrant petitions for alien workers will also increase to $2,965 from $2,805, impacting employment-based green card applications across all eligible categories.
Premium processing fees for Form I-539 applications covering F-1 and F-2 students, J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors, and M-1 and M-2 vocational students will increase from $1,965 to $2,075.
Premium processing fees for Form I-765 applications will increase from $1,685 to $1,780, affecting applicants seeking faster decisions for employment authorisation, including Optional Practical Training and STEM-OPT categories.
The revised premium processing fees are expected to directly impact Indian professionals, students and employers, who form a large share of H-1B, L-1, OPT and employment-based green card applications.
Premium processing is widely used for quicker decisions on job changes, extensions and travel planning, while USCIS said the additional revenue will support adjudication improvements and help manage application backlogs.
