13/01/2026
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an increase in Premium Processing fees (Form I-907) for key work and student-linked visas. The change applies only to applicants opting for faster processing, standard filing fees remain unchanged.🇺🇸
📅 Effective date: March 1, 2026
📌What is Form I-907?
Form I-907 is a request you file with USCIS when you want Premium Processing, basically, paying extra to get a faster decision on certain US immigration applications.
Instead of waiting months, Premium Processing gives you a fixed processing timeline (USCIS commits to act within a set number of days, depending on the case type).
📌 Why now?
USCIS is legally allowed to revise premium fees every two years to account for inflation. This hike reflects inflation between June 2023 and June 2025.
📌What’s changing?
👉H-1B & most work visas (Form I-129): $2,805 → $2,965
👉OPT / STEM-OPT EAD (Form I-765): $1,685 → $1,780
👉F-1 / F-2 status extensions (Form I-539): $1,965 → $2,075
👉Employment-based green cards (Form I-140): $2,805 → $2,965
💡 Why this matters for Indian students & professionals
Indians receive 70%+ of US employment-based visas, and premium processing is often used to meet job start dates, OPT timelines, visa transfers, and travel plans. Even a small fee jump adds pressure, especially when timelines are tight.
🔍 Why it matters now
This comes amid heightened US scrutiny on immigration filings and digital footprints. Faster processing doesn’t mean relaxed checks but it does mean quicker clarity in an increasingly uncertain environment.
Premium processing is optional but planning your applications, loans, and timelines just became more important than ever.
💰When timelines and money are involved, the right guidance can make a real difference. Use our Consultant Finder to get matched with the right expert.
