Faster Immigration? USCIS Raises Fees to Fight Inflation
Published Date: 1/12/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting March 1, 2026, folks using premium processing for certain immigration requests will pay a bit more because USCIS is raising fees to keep up with inflation from 2023 to 2025. If you send in your request on or after that date, be ready to include the new, higher fee. This change helps USCIS keep things speedy while covering rising costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 8 costs, 0 mixed.
DHS will collect $77.1M more annually
DHS estimates the premium processing fee increases will generate an additional $77,119,780 in annual transfer payments to DHS from fee-paying applicants and petitioners.
New fees required starting March 1, 2026
If you mail a premium processing request on or after March 1, 2026, you must include the new, higher USCIS premium processing fee with that filing. The rule says requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, must include the new fee.
Premium fees rise by 5.72%
USCIS increased premium processing fees by 5.72%, using the CPI-U change from June 2023 (305.109) to June 2025 (322.561). As a result, existing premium fees were adjusted to $1,780, $2,075, and $2,965 depending on the benefit request.
I-129 petitioners pay higher fees
If you file premium processing (Form I-907) for an I-129 petition: H-2B or R-1 filings go from $1,685 to $1,780 (a $95 increase); all other eligible I-129 classifications go from $2,805 to $2,965 (a $160 increase). DHS estimates an additional $50,132,815 annually collected from the I-129 population.
I-140 premium processing fee increase
If you request premium processing (Form I-907) for an I-140 immigrant petition, the fee rises from $2,805 to $2,965 (a $160 increase). DHS estimates this will raise an additional $21,701,760 annually from the I-140 population.
Students changing status face $110 hike
If you file Form I-539 to change status to F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, or M-2 and request premium processing, the fee rises from $1,965 to $2,075 (a $110 increase). DHS estimates annual additional transfers of $513,260 from this population.
OPT/STEM students pay $95 more
F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) or STEM OPT who request premium processing (Form I-765 + I-907) will see the premium fee increase from $1,685 to $1,780 (a $95 increase). DHS estimates this yields $4,771,945 in additional annual transfers from currently eligible OPT/STEM applicants.
Fees are non-waivable and separate
The premium processing fee may not be waived and must be paid in addition to other filing fees and in a separate remittance. Filers must submit the Form I-907 and correct fee as prescribed.
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