USCIS Fees in 2026: Inflation Adjustment and Updated Amounts

The cost of immigration processes in the United States increased again in 2026. The USCIS applied an inflation adjustment of approximately 2.7% to various immigration fees, with the new amounts taking effect as of January 1, 2026 for H.R. 1 fees, and with additional adjustments to premium processing starting March 1, 2026. The annual correction mechanism allows the agency to adjust its charges based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), maintaining the operational capacity of an agency that relies on fees to fund more than 96% of its activities.

Although the percentages may seem modest, the cumulative impact is significant for families and businesses facing multiple charges in complex immigration processes. Understanding which fees have changed, how much they currently cost, and how to plan financially is essential for anyone in the midst of a process or intending to start one in the coming months.

The 2024 Fee Reform

On April 1, 2024, USCIS implemented the largest restructuring of immigration fees in more than seven years. Forms such as the I-485 increased from $1,140 to $1,440 with biometrics included, and new mechanisms such as the Asylum Program Fee were introduced to fund the processing of asylum cases. This reform established the basis on which annual inflation adjustments would henceforth be automatically calculated.

The regulation approved in 2024 also authorized USCIS to conduct annual reviews based on the CPI-U, eliminating the need for lengthy legislative processes that, in the past, resulted in more than seven years without any adjustment. The result is a pattern of gradual and predictable increases that is likely to continue in the coming years.

How the Adjustment Is Calculated

The inflation adjustment uses the annual variation of the CPI-U (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers), the main consumer inflation index in the United States. For fiscal year 2026, the comparison between the CPI-U of July 2024 (314.540) and July 2025 (323.048) resulted in a variation of approximately 2.70%.

This percentage is applied to each fee individually, and the result is rounded down to the nearest ten-dollar multiple. In practice, smaller fees may remain unchanged after rounding, while higher fees may increase by between $5 and $20. The mechanism was designed to promote gradual adjustments, avoiding sharp jumps that catch applicants by surprise.

Main Fees in 2026

The table below lists the updated amounts for the most commonly used forms in immigration processes, according to the official USCIS Fee Schedule (Form G-1055, March 2026 edition) and Federal Register publications.

In the case of the I-140, the base fee of $715 is only part of the cost. Employers with more than 25 full-time employees pay an Asylum Program Fee of $600, totaling $1,315. Small businesses with 25 or fewer employees pay an APF of $300, resulting in $1,015, and nonprofit organizations are exempt from the additional fee.

The I-485 already incorporates the biometrics services fee into the main amount since April 2024. There is no longer a separate $85 biometrics charge in adjustment of status cases, which simplifies the calculation of the total cost.

For the I-765 (work authorization), the amount depends on the context of the application. Those who file the EAD together with a pending I-485 pay $260, while standalone initial requests cost $560.

Premium Processing in 2026

As of March 1, 2026, USCIS increased premium processing fees to reflect the inflation accumulated between June 2023 and June 2025. Premium processing for I-140 and I-129 for categories such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN rose to $2,965. Premium processing for H-2B and R-1 increased to $1,780.

Premium processing guarantees expedited review of the petition, typically within 15 business days. For employers in competitive markets, the speed of approval can determine whether a professional can start work within the required timeframe. Applicants should confirm the exact amount in the official USCIS calculator before submitting Form I-907.

H.R. 1 Adjustments

The H.R. 1 legislation introduced additional charges for specific categories of immigration benefits, including humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status. The parole fee, which in 2025 was $1,000, increased to $1,020 after the inflation adjustment of $27.05 rounded down to $20.

These fees follow their own adjustment schedule, with new amounts taking effect every January 1 of each fiscal year. It is essential to check whether a specific fee is regulated by the traditional USCIS table or by H.R. 1, as the schedules and calculation mechanisms differ between the two categories of charges.

Financial Planning

The total cost of an immigration process goes beyond USCIS fees. A typical employment-based green card case may involve government fees exceeding $3,000, in addition to attorney fees, mandatory medical exams, certified translations, and possible consular processing fees. For those following the consular processing route, add the Department of State fees: $345 for employment-based visas, $120 for Affidavit of Support review, and $220 for the USCIS Immigrant Fee for green card production.

For employers sponsoring multiple foreign employees, the cumulative impact is significant. A company processing ten I-140 petitions with premium processing in 2026 may spend over $40,000 just in government fees. Planning these costs in the annual budget is essential to avoid interruptions in employee processes.

The recommendation is straightforward: before submitting any form, consult the official USCIS fee calculator and the most recent Fee Schedule (Form G-1055, updated in March 2026). Petitions submitted with the incorrect amount are automatically rejected, causing delays that can compromise priority dates or regulatory deadlines. Careful financial planning is as important as document preparation in any immigration process.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.