Planning to speed up your US visa process? It’s about to get more expensive.
From March 1, 2026, applicants who choose premium processing will have to pay higher fees.
The new charges apply to several visa categories and forms.
Here’s what is changing and how it may affect you.
What Is Premium Processing?
Premium processing is an optional service offered by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
If you or your employer want faster action on a visa petition, you can pay an extra fee on top of the regular filing cost.
To request this service, applicants must file Form I-907, which is specifically used for expedited processing.
From March 1, 2026, any premium processing request postmarked on or after that date must include the revised fee.
The new rates have been published in the Federal Register and apply to all eligible categories.
Which Forms Are Affected?
Premium processing can be requested for these commonly used forms:
Form I-129 (Nonimmigrant Worker Petition)
Form I-140 (Immigrant Worker Petition)
Form I-765 (Employment Authorization)
Form I-539 (Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status)
Each of these forms will now attract a higher premium processing fee.
New Premium Processing Fees From March 2026
Here’s a quick breakdown of the updated charges:
For H-2B and R-1 visas under Form I-129:
Fee increases from $1,685 to $1,780
For other Form I-129 categories such as H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, E-1, E-2 and more:
Fee rises from $2,805 to $2,965
For Form I-539 (including F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1 and J-2 status requests):
Fee increases from $1,965 to $2,075
For Form I-765 (Employment Authorization):
Fee goes up from $1,685 to $1,780
These fees are in addition to the regular filing charges.
How Fast Is “Fast”?
When you pay for premium processing, USCIS guarantees action within a specific timeline.
If they fail to act within that period, the premium fee is refunded.
Here are the promised timelines:
15 calendar days for most visa classifications
30 days for Form I-765 (F-1 students applying for OPT or STEM OPT extensions)
30 days for Form I-539 change-of-status applications
45 days for certain Form I-140 categories, including multinational executives and national interest waiver cases
For many applicants, especially those facing tight job deadlines or travel plans, premium processing can make a big difference.
But from March 2026, that speed will come at a higher cost.
If you are planning to apply, factoring in the new fees early could help you avoid last-minute surprises.
