Filing Soon? Premium Processing Fees Increase March 1

Highlights

Starting March 1, 2026, the premium processing fee for I-140 immigrant worker petitions and most Form I-129 nonimmigrant worker petitions will increase to $2,965, from $2,805. Fees for premium processing of certain I-129 petitions for nonimmigrant workers, I-539 petitions to extend/change nonimmigrant status, and I-765 EADs for OPT and STEM classifications will also increase.
The new fees apply to filings postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.

We remind our readers that effective March 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased premium processing fees for certain employment-based petitions and applications.

The final rule implementing the fee adjustment was published on January 12.

This update reflects the agency’s biennial inflation-based adjustment, with the last premium processing fee increase having taken effect in February 2024.

The following new fees now apply to premium processing requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.

Case type	Current Premium Processing Fee	Effective March 1, Premium Processing Fee	Increase
Form I-140	$2805	$2965	$160
Form I-129	$2805 $1685 (H-2B & R-1)	$2965 $1780 (H-2B & R-1)	$160 $95
Form I-539	$1965	$2075	$110
Form I-765 (F-1 OPT)	$1685	$1780	$95

Plan ahead

With the new fee increases in mind, employers should carefully manage their budgets and plan case timelines strategically, particularly when anticipating decision timeframes from USCIS.

Worldwide Immigration Updates: U.S. Embassies Beirut and Tel Aviv

Due to security concerns, the U.S. Department of State has ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members from both the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, as well as authorized departures from its Branch Office in Tel Aviv.

Both posts remain operational with core staff and are prioritizing emergency services for U.S. citizens. However, routine visa processing is currently suspended.

Applicants with scheduled visa interviews in Beirut, Jerusalem, or Tel Aviv will receive email notifications regarding rescheduling once services resume.

Applicants should monitor the respective embassy websites for the most up-to-date visa processing information.

Contact Us. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.

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