Starting March 1, 2026, USCIS will increase premium processing fees for employment-based visa applications, including H-1B, L-1, and green card petitions. This fee adjustment reflects inflation from June 2023 through June 2025 and will directly impact the cost of expedited 15-day processing that many employers and employees depend on for urgent visa needs.
What's Changing and Why
The Department of Homeland Security is implementing this fee increase under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which gives them authority to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. The goal is to protect the real dollar value of premium processing services while generating revenue to improve adjudication processes and address processing backlogs.
For most employment visa applications filed on Form I-129 (including H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, E-2, and TN visas), the premium processing fee will increase from $2,805 to $2,965 — an increase of $160. Employment-based green card applications on Form I-140 will see the same fee increase to $2,965.
Who Is Affected
This fee increase affects several categories of applicants and petitioners:
- H-1B workers and employers seeking faster processing for new petitions, extensions, or amendments
- L-1 visa holders (both L-1A managers and L-1B specialized knowledge workers)
- Employment-based green card applicants using premium processing for I-140 petitions
- Other employment visa categories including O-1, E-2, E-3, and TN visa applicants
- Students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) extensions
The timing of your application matters. If you submit a premium processing request postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, you must pay the new higher fee. Applications postmarked before this date can use the current fee structure.
Planning Your Application Strategy
Given these fee increases, you may want to consider the timing of your premium processing requests. If you're planning to file an H-1B extension, L-1 petition, or employment-based green card application in early 2026, submitting before March 1st could save you $160 in premium processing fees.
However, don't rush your application just to save on fees. It's more important to ensure your petition is properly prepared and includes all required documentation. A poorly prepared application that gets a Request for Evidence (RFE) or denial will cost you much more than the fee increase.
What You Should Do
If you're currently planning an employment visa application or green card petition that might benefit from premium processing, consider these steps:
- Review your timeline — determine if you need premium processing and when you'll need to file
- Budget for the increase — factor the new fees into your immigration planning
- Don't rush preparation — saving $160 isn't worth filing an incomplete application
- Consult with an attorney — especially for complex cases where premium processing strategy matters
Remember, premium processing only expedites the review timeline to 15 calendar days. It doesn't guarantee approval, and USCIS can still issue Requests for Evidence that pause the premium processing clock.
This fee increase reflects the ongoing reality that immigration costs continue to rise. While $160 may seem modest compared to overall immigration expenses, these increases add up over time, especially for families navigating multiple applications or employers sponsoring several workers.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws and procedures can be complex and change frequently.
If you have questions about how this fee increase affects your case or need help planning your premium processing strategy, contact AKT LAW, LLC at (781) 488-0315 or book a consultation at aktimmigration.com. Our experienced team can help you navigate the timing and costs of your employment visa or green card application.
Source: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-increase-premium-processing-fees