Mumbai: The United States will raise premium processing fees for a wide range of immigration applications from March 1, 2026, in a move that is expected to increase costs for international students and skilled foreign professionals, including a large number from India. The fee hike is set to impact applicants seeking faster decisions under Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT extensions, and key employment-based visa categories, which are widely used by global technology firms, consulting companies and start-ups reliant on foreign talent.
About The Decision
The increase follows a final rule issued by the Department of Homeland Security, which said the revised charges are designed to reflect inflation between June 2023 and June 2025. Officials said the adjustment would help the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) maintain operational stability amid rising administrative expenses. Under the USCIS Stabilisation Act, the agency is authorised to revise premium processing fees every two years to keep pace with inflation and service delivery costs.
Premium processing allows applicants to receive expedited decisions within a fixed timeframe, making it a critical option for employers and students facing tight deadlines. The move could have ripple effects for Indian professionals and students, who account for a significant share of applications in work visa and post-study employment categories, while also adding to hiring costs for US companies at a time of heightened scrutiny over immigration and labour policies. For students, the change is most relevant to Form I-765, which is used to apply for employment authorisation under OPT and STEM OPT.
From March 2026, students opting for faster processing will have to pay $1,780, up from the current $1,685. Premium processing allows applicants to receive a quicker decision, which many students rely on to avoid delays that could affect job start dates. Another category that affects students is Form I-539, used for extending or changing non-immigrant status, including F-1 and F-2 student visas. The premium processing fee for this form will rise from $1,965 to $2,075.
Beyond students, the fee hike also applies to a wide range of employment-based visa petitions. Premium processing for most Form I-129 work visas, including H-1B, L-1, O-1 and TN, will increase from $2,805 to $2,965. For H-2B and R-1 visas, the fee will go up from $1,685 to $1,780. Similarly, Form I-140, used for employment-based green card petitions, will also see an increase to $2,965. DHS said the additional revenue will be used to maintain premium processing services, improve application reviews, address processing backlogs, and support USCIS’s broader adjudication and naturalisation work.
Applicants should note that the new fees apply only to premium processing requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. The premium processing must be submitted through Form I-907 and is applicable to visa types for which USCIS has designated the service provision. The latest move is in the backdrop of intense scrutiny in visa requirements, especially for international students. It is worth mentioning that the US Embassy in India recently issued a warning to Indian students traveling to, or already in, the US, stating that violation of US law will have severe repercussions in the future.
