USCIS Premium Processing: Updated Fees in 2026

Premium Processing is the expedited processing service offered by USCIS for certain immigration petitions, guaranteeing a response within a defined timeframe upon payment of an additional fee. In January 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an adjustment to the fees for this service, with the new rates taking effect on March 1, 2026. The increase of approximately 5.7% reflects the inflation adjustment required by law, calculated based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for the period from June 2023 to June 2025.

What is Premium Processing

Premium Processing is requested through Form I-907, submitted along with the main petition or as a separate request after the initial filing. By paying the corresponding fee, USCIS commits to issuing a response within a specific timeframe, generally 15, 30, or 45 business days, depending on the form and visa category. The service is available for selected petitions from forms I-129, I-140, I-539, and certain I-765 applications.

It is essential to understand that the response guaranteed by premium processing does not necessarily mean approval. The USCIS action within the timeframe may be an approval, a denial, a Request for Evidence (RFE) requesting additional documentation, or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). If USCIS issues an RFE, the processing clock restarts after the petitioner submits the response.

Updated Fees by Form

Form I-129

The I-129 form is used for nonimmigrant worker petitions and covers the widest variety of visa categories. For the main categories, the premium processing fee is US$ 2,965, covering the following classifications:

• E-1, E-2, E-3 (treaty trader and investor visas)
• H-1B (specialty workers)
• H-3 (trainees)
• L-1A and L-1B (intracompany transfers)
• O-1 and O-2 (extraordinary ability and accompanying personnel)
• P-1, P-2, P-3 and respective support personnel (athletes, artists, and entertainers)
• Q-1 (cultural exchange)
• TN-1 and TN-2 (USMCA professionals)

For the H-2B (non-agricultural temporary workers) and R-1 (religious workers) categories, the fee is US$ 1,780, reflecting the lower processing cost for these classifications.

Form I-140

The I-140 is used for employment-based immigration petitions, including the EB-1 (extraordinary ability, researchers, and executives), EB-2 (advanced degree professionals, including NIW), and EB-3 (skilled professionals and workers) categories. The premium processing fee for this form is US$ 2,965, with a response time of 45 business days.

Form I-539

The I-539 is used to request a change or extension of status by individuals already in the United States. The premium processing fee for this form is US$ 2,075. Covered categories include F-1 and F-2 (academic students), J-1 and J-2 (exchange visitors), and M-1 and M-2 (vocational students).

Form I-765

Certain applications for Form I-765 (Employment Authorization Document) are also eligible for premium processing, with a fee of US$ 1,780. Availability varies according to the specific EAD category requested, and eligibility should be checked on the USCIS website before submission.

Response Does Not Guarantee Approval

A frequently misunderstood point is the nature of the response guaranteed by premium processing. USCIS commits to taking action within the stipulated timeframe, but this action may be any of the following: petition approval, denial, issuance of an RFE, or issuance of a NOID. Receiving an RFE restarts the processing clock after the petitioner submits the response.

If USCIS does not meet the guaranteed timeframe, the petitioner is entitled to request a refund of the premium processing fee. In practice, delays beyond the deadline are relatively rare, and the service works as promised in the vast majority of processed cases.

When to Use Premium Processing

The decision to use premium processing should consider the urgency of the case, cost-benefit, and the petitioner’s specific situation. The service is particularly valuable when there are critical deadlines involved, such as a job start date, imminent expiration of current status, or urgent travel needs dependent on petition approval.

For employers sponsoring H-1B visas during cap season, premium processing can be strategic to obtain quick approval and ensure the beneficiary starts work on the scheduled date. Professionals in intracompany transfers (L-1), athletes, and artists with event schedules (O-1, P-1) also frequently benefit from expedited processing to meet fixed-date commitments.

Financial and Strategic Planning

Premium processing fees represent a significant cost that should be incorporated into the financial planning of the immigration process. For I-129 and I-140 petitions, the amount of US$ 2,965 is added to the regular petition fees and other applicable government fees. Premium processing is optional: petitions submitted without it follow regular processing, which can take from months to over a year depending on the category and service center.

Fees are adjusted every two years according to current legislation, always based on the CPI-U, with the next adjustment scheduled for 2028. To ensure submission with the correct amount, it is recommended to check the updated fee schedule on the official USCIS website before preparing Form I-907, as applications with incorrect amounts are automatically returned.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.