The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially declared an increase in the fees for its premium processing service for a wide array of visas, a move that will directly affect thousands of Indian professionals and students in America. The key point is that this hike applies only to those opting for faster, 15-calendar-day processing, while the standard application fees remain unchanged.
New Fee Schedule and Effective Date
According to the federal agency, the revised fee structure will come into force on 1 March 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees USCIS, is mandated to review and adjust these fees biennially to keep pace with inflation. USCIS clarified that this specific increase accounts for the inflation measured between June 2023 and June 2025.
The changes target several crucial employment-based and non-immigrant visa categories. For instance, the premium processing cost for Form I-129 petitions, which includes popular classifications like H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN, will rise from $2,805 to $2,965. Similarly, the fee for Form I-140 immigrant petitions for alien workers across categories like EB-1, EB-2 (including National Interest Waiver), and EB-3 will also increase to $2,965 from the current $2,805.
Impact on Students and Work Permit Seekers
The fee revision also touches applications vital for the international student community in the US. For those on F-1, J-1, or M-1 visas seeking to extend or change status using Form I-539, the premium processing fee will go up from $1,965 to $2,075.
Perhaps more critically for Indian graduates, the fee for faster processing of work permits (Form I-765) under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM-OPT extension programs will see an increase from $1,685 to $1,780. These programs are a critical bridge for Indian students aiming to gain work experience and transition to long-term visas like the H-1B.
Why This Matters for the Indian Diaspora
This update holds substantial significance for the Indian community in the United States. Indians are consistently the largest recipients of US employment-based visas, particularly the H-1B, accounting for over 70% of these visas granted each year. Consequently, any change in the cost or process for these visas disproportionately impacts Indian nationals and their employers.
Premium processing is an optional service chosen by employers and individuals who require quicker decisions due to impending job changes, urgent travel plans, or the need for clarity on their immigration status. While the standard processing times can be lengthy and unpredictable, the premium service guarantees a response within 15 days, making it a valuable, albeit costly, option for many.
USCIS stated that the additional revenue generated from this fee increase will be utilized to fund the premium processing service itself, improve overall adjudication processes, tackle processing backlogs, and support other immigration and naturalization services.
In summary, while the standard path to US visas remains unchanged in cost, those seeking expedited decisions for key work, study, and immigration petitions must budget for higher expenses starting March 2026.
