US to hike premium processing visa fees from March 2026 — Apply now to save costs!

Premium processing is an optional service offered by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows applicants to receive faster decisions on certain visa and immigration petitions. By paying an additional premium processing fee and filing Form I-907, applicants can get a response—approval, denial, or request for evidence—within a guaranteed processing timeframe set by USCIS. This service is commonly used for employment-based visas such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, and for OPT and STEM-OPT applications. Premium processing does not increase approval chances; it only speeds up case adjudication.

The revised premium processing fees will take effect on March 1, 2026. USCIS has clearly stated that the new fees will apply to all eligible applications postmarked on or after this date. Applications filed before March 1, 2026, will continue to be charged at the current premium processing rates. Applicants must carefully check filing dates, as even a one-day delay could result in higher fees. This effective date applies across all visa categories that offer premium processing, including work visas, student-related authorisations, and employment-based green cards.

USCIS is increasing premium processing fees as part of a mandatory inflation adjustment under the USCIS Stabilization Act. The law allows the Department of Homeland Security to revise premium processing fees every two years based on inflation. The latest increase reflects inflation recorded between June 2023 and June 2025. According to DHS, the goal is to maintain the real value of premium processing services and ensure consistent funding. The additional revenue will help USCIS manage higher workloads, reduce backlogs, and continue offering faster processing services.

The fee increase affects multiple high-demand visa categories commonly used by Indian applicants. These include H-1B, L-1, O-1, E, TN, P, Q visas, OPT, and STEM-OPT employment authorisation, status change applications, and employment-based immigrant visas (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3). The revised fees apply to applications filed using premium processing through Form I-907. Family-based petitions and visa categories not eligible for premium processing remain unaffected. Applicants should verify eligibility before opting for premium processing under the new fee structure.

No, USCIS has not announced any changes to premium processing timelines. The fee hike only affects the cost of the service, not the processing speed. Premium processing will continue to offer expedited decision-making within the timeframes defined by USCIS for each form category. These timelines may vary depending on the type of petition but remain unchanged under the new rule. USCIS has stated that the increased fees will help maintain service quality and support faster adjudication amid rising application volumes and operational demands.

No, the premium processing fee increase applies only to applications that are eligible for premium processing and are filed with Form I-907. Many USCIS applications, including most family-based petitions and certain visa categories, do not offer premium processing and are not affected by this change. The revised fees also do not replace standard filing fees; they are charged in addition to regular application costs. Applicants should always confirm whether their visa category qualifies for premium processing before submitting the request.

If an applicant submits a premium processing request with the old fee amount on or after March 1, 2026, USCIS may reject the application or issue a request for correct payment, causing delays. USCIS has clearly stated that applications postmarked after the effective date must include the revised fee. Rejected applications may need to be refiled, leading to longer processing times and potential disruptions, especially for time-sensitive cases like work start dates, OPT approvals, or visa extensions.

Indian applicants who are eligible for premium processing may avoid the higher fees by filing their applications before March 1, 2026, provided all documentation is complete and accurate. This may be particularly beneficial for H-1B extensions, L-1 transfers, OPT and STEM-OPT applications, and employment-based green card petitions. However, applicants should not rush filings without proper preparation, as incomplete applications can lead to delays. Consulting immigration experts early can help applicants plan timelines effectively and potentially reduce costs.

According to the US Department of Homeland Security, the additional revenue generated from higher premium processing fees will be used to improve USCIS adjudication capacity, manage growing application volumes, and reduce long-standing processing backlogs. The funds will also support staffing, technology upgrades, and operational improvements across immigration and naturalisation services. DHS has emphasised that premium processing fees are reinvested into the system to ensure faster and more reliable service for applicants who opt for expedited processing.