The US Citizenship and Immigration Services on Friday announced an increase in premium processing fees for several visa filings. The hike covers worker visas like H-1B and student related benefits linked to the F-1 visa, including OPT.
Fee Hike Effective From March 1
From March 1, 2026, applicants will pay more for fast-track immigration services. USCIS described the revision as an inflation adjustment. However, many affected individuals feel the higher cost comes without any clear service improvement.
Worker Visa Premium Fees Rise
Premium processing fees for worker visa categories will see a noticeable increase. This includes H-1B, L-1, O-1 petitions, and employment-based Form I-140. The fee will rise from $2,805 to $2,965.
Higher Costs for Students and Exchange Visitors
Applicants filing Form I-539 for F, M, and J visas will also pay more. The fee for status changes or extensions will increase from $1,965 to $2,075. This impacts a wide range of students and exchange visitors.
OPT and STEM OPT Processing Gets Costlier
Premium processing for I-765 applications has also been revised upward. This includes F-1 visa related work authorisation such as OPT and STEM OPT. The new fee will be $1,780, up from $1,685.
Dependence on Fast Track Processing Grows
Premium processing is no longer limited to exceptional cases. With regular filings taking several months and sometimes over a year, many workers and employers rely on fast-track approvals to maintain legal status and employment continuity.
Policy Changes Raise Broader Concerns
The hike follows reports of the Trump administration raising base wage levels for H-1B workers and imposing a $100,000 fee on new petitions. Many job seekers feel recent policies are stacked against new entrants.
Impact on Smaller Employers
Large IT firms may absorb the added costs without difficulty. However, startups and mid-sized companies could face challenges due to these changes. USCIS claims the additional revenue will reduce backlogs, but applicants and experts remain skeptical.
