US Hikes H-1B Visa Premium Processing Fee

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an increase in premium processing fees for several immigration applications, including H-1B visas, effective March 1. Premium processing allows applicants to get faster decisions by paying an additional fee and is commonly used by employers hiring foreign workers as well as students seeking work authorisation.

Under the revised fee structure, premium processing for Form I-129 applications in the H-2B and R-1 categories will rise from $1,685 to $1,780 (around ₹1.6 lakh). For other Form I-129 visa types such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1 and TN, the fee will increase from $2,805 to $2,965 (about ₹2.67 lakh). The same $2,965 fee will now apply to Form I-140 immigrant petitions for foreign workers, up from $2,805.

Fees are also going up for select extension and change-of-status applications. Premium processing for Form I-539, which covers F-1 and F-2 students, J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors, and M-1 and M-2 vocational students, will increase from $1,965 to $2,075 (around ₹1.87 lakh). Applicants seeking faster work authorisation will pay more as well, with the Form I-765 premium processing fee rising from $1,685 to $1,780. This applies to OPT and STEM-OPT applicants.

USCIS said the fee hike reflects inflation between June 2023 and June 2025 and is meant to help cover operational costs. The increase is expected to have a significant impact on Indian applicants, who make up a large share of H-1B and L-1 visa users.