Quick Takeaways
- 12.3% Increase will take effect February 26, 2024, and in response to inflation between June 2021 and June 2023
- Eligible classifications and processing times will remain unchanged
- No further updates on additional filing fee increases
For the first time since August 2020, USCIS announced that effective February 26, 2024, the Service will raise the cost of Premium Processing for all eligible classifications. Whereas the last increase nearly doubled the cost of this selective service from $1,410.00 to $2,500.00, the new fees for Premium Processing will rise by 12.3% to account for inflation between June 2021 and June 2023.
The fee increases are as follows:
| Form | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker | $1,500 (H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status)
$2,500 (E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, LZ, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1, TN-1, and TN-2)) |
$1,685 (H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status)
$2,805 (E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-3, L-1, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1, TN) |
| Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker | $2,500 (Employment-based (EB) classifications EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C, EB-2 (non-NIW), EB-2 (NIW), EB-3, and all other EB workers) | $2,805 (Employment-based (EB) classifications EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C, EB-2 (non-NIW), EB-2 (NIW), EB-3, and all other EB workers) |
| Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status | $1,750 (F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, J-2, E-1, E-2, E-3, L-2, H-4, O-3, P-4, and R-2) | $1,965 (F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, J-2, E-1, E-2, E-3, L-2, H-4, O-3, P-4, and R-2) |
| Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization | $1,500 (Certain F-1 students seeking OPT EADs) | $1,685 (Certain F-1 students seeking OPT EADs) |
According to USCIS, the fee increases will generate an additional $185 million in revenue without expanding the classifications eligible for Premium Processing or altering USCIS' processing speed. Previously described, USCIS-wide fee increases announced in May 2022 remain unimplemented, and the above-described increases will replace the portions of that rule pertaining to Premium Processing.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
