Washington: The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an increase in premium processing fees for several immigration benefits, including the widely used H-1B visa, with the revised rates set to take effect from March 1, 2026.
Under the new structure, the premium processing fee will rise from USD 2,805 to USD 2,965. The increase will apply across multiple employment-based visa categories that allow US employers to fast-track decisions for foreign professionals, including H-1B and other work-related visas.
USCIS said the revision is based on inflation recorded between June 2023 and June 2025 and is being implemented under the USCIS Stabilization Act. The legislation authorises the Department of Homeland Security to revise premium processing fees every two years to reflect inflationary changes.
The hike is expected to impact US employers who sponsor foreign workers, as well as visa holders who opt for premium processing to change jobs, extend their stay, or renew work permits. The decision is particularly significant for Indian nationals, who account for a substantial share of H-1B and other employment-based visa applicants in the United States.
According to USCIS, the additional revenue generated from the revised fee will be used to strengthen agency operations. This includes reducing application backlogs, improving adjudication timelines, and supporting broader adjudication and naturalisation services, with the aim of maintaining service efficiency amid growing demand.
Applicants seeking premium processing will be required to file Form I-907 along with the updated fee for applications postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. USCIS clarified that applications submitted with the old fee after the effective date will be rejected.
The fee increase comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of US immigration rules. Recently, the US Embassy in India cautioned visa applicants, particularly those applying for H-1B and H-4 work visas, against violating immigration laws. In a post on X, the embassy warned that breaches of US law could result in serious criminal penalties, reiterating the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration regulations and protecting national borders.
