The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an increase in premium processing fees for several key immigration forms—including work permits (Form I‑765), change of status applications (Form I‑539), and employment‑based petitions (Forms I‑129 and I‑140)—effective March 1, 2026.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is scheduled to publish the final rule on Jan. 12, noting that the adjustment reflects inflation between June 2023 and June 2025. The revisions are authorized under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which allows DHS to adjust premium processing fees every two years to maintain their real dollar value.
Under the new structure, the premium processing fee for Form I‑129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker)—covering H‑1B, L‑1, O‑1, and similar classifications—will rise from $2,805 to $2,965. The same increase applies to Form I‑140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker), which is used for employment‑based green card categories such as EB‑1, EB‑2, and EB‑3.
For Form I‑539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status)—commonly filed by students and exchange visitors in F, J, and M visa categories—the fee will increase from $1,965 to $2,075. The premium processing fee for Form I‑765 (Application for Employment Authorization), used by certain OPT and STEM‑OPT applicants, will rise from $1,685 to $1,780.
USCIS stated that additional revenue from these increases will help fund premium processing services, system improvements, and ongoing efforts to address case backlogs.
Applicants submitting premium processing requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, must include the updated fee for their specific benefit category. All premium processing requests must be filed using Form I‑907, following the instructions provided on the USCIS website.
For a full table of updated fees and eligible categories, visit the official notice.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
