The h1b premium processing fee increase is now official, and U.S. employers, immigration attorneys, and skilled foreign professionals must prepare for higher costs when seeking expedited H-1B visa decisions. The U.S. government has finalized a rule that raises premium processing fees for eligible visa petitions, including the H-1B, effective March 1, 2026. This update reflects inflation adjustments required under federal law and will impact all premium processing requests postmarked on or after that date.
This article provides the most current and factual details as of today about the fee increase, the new rates, who will be affected, why the change is happening, how it fits with broader H-1B policies, and what steps employers and applicants should take now.
Table of Contents
What Premium Processing Is and Why It Matters
Premium processing is an optional service offered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows petitioners to request expedited adjudication of specific immigration forms. When eligible applicants or employers include the premium processing fee with their filing, USCIS guarantees a processing decision within 15 calendar days — much faster than regular processing timelines.
Employers often use premium processing for H-1B petitions to secure employment start dates, support project deadlines, and avoid gaps in work authorization. Foreign professionals, especially those transitioning from F-1 student status or switching employers, also rely on premium processing to reduce uncertainty around visa adjudication.
Why the H1B Premium Processing Fee Increase Is Happening
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is required by statute to adjust premium processing fees every two years to reflect inflation. This biennial adjustment uses the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) to ensure that the real dollar value of the premium processing service remains consistent over time.
The updated fee rule reflects inflation between June 2023 and June 2025, and DHS has finalized the rule so that it takes effect on March 1, 2026. Premium processing requests submitted on or after that date must include the updated fee amount, or USCIS will reject the filing.
New Premium Processing Fee Schedule (Effective March 1, 2026)
Below are the new premium processing fees that will apply to various visa categories and USCIS forms beginning March 1, 2026:
| Form / Category | Previous Fee | New Fee (from 3/1/26) |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129 (H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, TN, E-1/E-2, etc.) | $2,805 | $2,965 |
| Form I-129 (H-2B, R-1) | $1,685 | $1,780 |
| Form I-140 (Immigrant Worker Petitions) | $2,805 | $2,965 |
| Form I-539 (Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status) | $1,965 | $2,075 |
| Form I-765 (Employment Authorization, including OPT/STEM-OPT) | $1,685 | $1,780 |
These updated amounts are required for any premium processing request postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. Filings with old fees after this date will be returned, delaying adjudications and potentially impacting start dates or employment status in the U.S.
Who Is Impacted by the Fee Increase
U.S. Employers
Companies sponsoring H-1B workers — from tech start-ups to healthcare systems and research institutions — will see an increase in their immigration budgets. For employers filing multiple petitions, the new charges add up quickly, particularly for those relying heavily on premium processing for timely staffing.
Foreign Professionals
International workers who need quick case decisions — such as those changing employers, extending status, or transitioning from student visas to H-1B — will need to budget for the higher costs if they choose expedited processing.
Students and OPT/STEM-OPT Holders
Premium processing is also available for certain applications that affect Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM-OPT extensions, meaning international students seeking faster work authorization decisions will face higher fees.
Immigration Lawyers and HR Teams
Legal and HR professionals must update internal guides, checklists, and filing procedures now to incorporate the new fees for upcoming submissions, especially as the next H-1B season approaches.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- January 9, 2026 — DHS finalized the premium processing fee increase rule.
- January 12, 2026 — Rule scheduled for publication in the Federal Register.
- March 1, 2026 — New premium processing fees apply to all filings postmarked on or after this date.
- Before March 1, 2026 — Petitioners may still submit filings with the older, lower fees if postmarked before the effective date.
How the Fee Increase Connects to Broader H-1B Changes
The premium processing fee update comes amidst other major changes to U.S. immigration policy that affect the H-1B program:
$100,000 H-1B Fee
Under a presidential proclamation signed in 2025, employers seeking to hire H-1B workers between September 21, 2025 and September 21, 2026 may be required to pay an additional $100,000 fee per beneficiary, separate from standard visa fees and premium processing costs. This rule is currently being appealed in U.S. courts, with expedited proceedings scheduled. The outcome may directly affect employers’ overall visa costs and planning strategies.
H-1B Selection Rule Changes
USCIS announced modifications to the H-1B visa selection process, replacing the traditional random lottery with a system that prioritizes higher-paid and higher-skilled workers starting February 27, 2026. Employers should consider how this new approach interacts with premium processing decisions and overall immigration planning.
Visa Integrity Fee
A separate nonimmigrant visa integrity fee of $250 will apply to most U.S. visas starting in FY 2025, in addition to other application fees. While not part of the premium processing fee, this new charge adds another cost layer for companies and foreign nationals navigating multiple visa categories.
These simultaneous policy updates reflect broader efforts to reshape employment-based immigration in the United States and underscore the importance of understanding total costs and requirements in 2026.
Does the Premium Processing Increase Affect Standard H-1B Fees?
No — the H1B premium processing fee increase does not change the base H-1B filing fees such as:
- The standard USCIS petition fee for Form I-129
- The ACWIA training fee
- The fraud prevention and detection fee
- The new visa integrity fee
Premium processing is an optional add-on for faster adjudication and is separate from these baseline charges.
Cost Comparison: Regular vs. Premium Processing (H-1B)
| Processing Type | Typical Timeline | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Processing | Months (varies) | Standard fees only |
| Premium Processing | Up to 15 calendar days | Standard fees + $2,965 starting March 1, 2026 |
For many employers, premium processing remains a valuable investment for critical talent management and compliance needs, especially in competitive industries.
Practical Tips for Employers and Applicants
To avoid delays, rejections, or compliance issues after March 1, 2026, employers and foreign professionals should take a more strategic and detail-oriented approach to premium processing and H-1B filings.
First, always verify the exact premium processing fee before preparing Form I-907 and the accompanying payment. USCIS will reject petitions filed with outdated or incorrect fee amounts, and even minor errors can result in returned packages, loss of filing priority, and missed employment start dates. This is especially critical during the H-1B cap season, when timing directly affects eligibility.
Second, ensure that all internal fee charts, filing templates, and payment authorization systems are updated to reflect the new premium processing rates. Many large employers use automated or pre-approved billing workflows, and outdated figures in these systems can trigger payment mismatches that delay submissions.
Third, employers planning to file extensions, amendments, or transfers in early 2026 should calendar the March 1 implementation date carefully. Petitions sent just days after the cutoff with old fees will be rejected, forcing refiling and potentially placing workers at risk of status gaps.
Fourth, with the new wage-weighted H-1B selection system and rising total visa costs, companies should review which cases truly require premium processing. Not every filing may need expedited service, and prioritizing time-sensitive roles, project-critical employees, and compliance-driven deadlines can help manage both risk and cost.
Fifth, align immigration timelines with business planning. This includes coordinating start dates, relocation schedules, payroll activation, and client commitments with realistic USCIS processing expectations under both regular and premium timelines.
Finally, employers and applicants should maintain close coordination with immigration counsel and internal HR compliance teams to:
- Confirm correct fee structures and filing sequences
- Monitor regulatory changes affecting H-1B eligibility and selection
- Prepare documentation early to avoid last-minute premium requests
- Track status expiration dates and extension windows
- Ensure public access files, wage compliance, and worksite records are fully updated
As USCIS processing rules, selection systems, and fee structures continue to evolve in 2026 and beyond, proactive planning, accurate filing practices, and well-coordinated immigration strategies will be essential to minimizing risk and ensuring uninterrupted employment authorization.
Looking Ahead to the 2027 H-1B Cap Season and Beyond
With the 2027 H-1B cap season approaching, employers are preparing for one of the most consequential shifts in the program in years. USCIS has confirmed that the upcoming cap cycle will operate under a newly finalized selection framework that moves away from a purely random lottery and places greater emphasis on wage levels and skill alignment. Under this system, registrations tied to higher prevailing wage levels will receive increased weight during selection, meaning salary structure and job classification will now play a direct role in determining which candidates advance to the petition stage. This change is expected to influence compensation planning, job leveling, and how employers position roles for global talent.
At the same time, the cap season is unfolding in an environment of rising immigration costs. The premium processing fee increase, higher standard filing fees, and newly introduced integrity and compliance-related charges mean that the total cost of sponsoring an H-1B worker in 2026 and 2027 will be significantly higher than in previous cycles. For many organizations, especially those filing multiple cap-subject petitions, this will require early budget forecasting and closer coordination between human resources, finance, and legal teams.
USCIS is also expected to continue using the electronic registration system, with the initial registration window opening in March and remaining active for a limited period before selections are announced. Employers should be prepared for possible multiple selection rounds if initial acceptance numbers do not meet statutory targets, making long-term workforce planning and candidate communication even more important.
In this evolving environment, premium processing remains a critical tool for employers that need rapid decisions to meet project timelines, onboarding schedules, or regulatory deadlines. However, with higher fees and a more competitive, wage-weighted selection process, companies must now think strategically about which roles justify expedited service and how early filings can reduce business risk.
Staying informed about regulatory updates, structuring job offers in line with prevailing wage requirements, preparing documentation well in advance, and aligning immigration strategy with overall talent and growth plans will be essential for navigating the 2027 H-1B cap season and the broader transformation of the U.S. employment-based immigration system.
What are your thoughts or experiences with the H1B premium processing fee increase? Share your perspective in the comments or stay tuned for more verified immigration updates in 2026.
