USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increase to Hit H-1B, L-1 & OPT

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a revision in premium processing fees for several immigration benefits, a move that will directly affect thousands of foreign professionals, students, and US employers. The USCIS premium processing fee increase will take effect from March 1, marking another cost escalation for time-sensitive immigration applications.

According to USCIS, the revised fee structure reflects cumulative inflation from June 2023 through June 2025. Premium processing, which guarantees faster adjudication for eligible immigration filings, remains optional, but it is widely used by applicants seeking certainty around employment, travel, and legal status.

USCIS: Revised Premium Processing Fees Explained

Under the new schedule, premium processing fees will rise across key employment-based and nonimmigrant categories. For Form I-129 petitions filed for H-2B temporary workers or R-1 religious workers, the fee will increase from $1,685 to $1,780.

For all other Form I-129 classifications — including the highly sought-after H-1B visa, as well as L-1 intracompany transfers, O-1 extraordinary ability visas, P-1 athletes and entertainers, and TN professionals — the premium processing fee will increase from $2,805 to $2,965.

Employment-based green card applicants will also see higher costs. USCIS confirmed that the premium processing fee for Form I-140 immigrant petitions for alien workers will rise to $2,965, up from the earlier $2,805, across all eligible employment-based categories.

Higher Fees for Students and Employment Authorization

The USCIS premium processing fee increase also extends to certain applications for extending or changing nonimmigrant status. For Form I-539 applications covering F-1 and F-2 students, J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors, and M-1 and M-2 vocational students, the premium processing fee will increase from $1,965 to $2,075.

Applicants seeking expedited employment authorization will face similar hikes. The premium processing fee for Form I-765 applications, including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM-OPT extensions, will rise from $1,685 to $1,780. These categories are particularly critical for international students transitioning from education to the US workforce.

USCIS Cites Operational Needs and Backlog Reduction

USCIS stated that the additional revenue generated through the fee increase will be reinvested into agency operations. The funds will support premium processing services, improve adjudication systems, and help address growing processing backlogs.

“The revenue generated by this fee increase will be used to provide premium processing services; make improvements to adjudication processes; respond to adjudication demands, including processing backlogs; and otherwise fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services,” the agency said in its notice.

Significant Impact on Indian Professionals and Students

The USCIS premium processing fee increase is expected to have a pronounced impact on Indian nationals, who represent the largest share of beneficiaries under the H-1B programme and account for a substantial portion of the employment-based green card backlog.

Indian professionals frequently rely on premium processing for job changes, visa extensions, and travel planning. Similarly, Indian students graduating from US universities often depend on OPT and STEM-OPT as a critical bridge to longer-term work visas such as H-1B.

Employers, particularly in the technology, healthcare, and research sectors, may also feel the financial impact as premium processing is commonly used to meet strict project timelines and workforce planning needs.