U.S. Government Announces Premium Processing Fee Increase in 2024

USCIS is set to increase premium processing fees for several employment-related applications and petitions from February 26, 2024. This change involves notable fee adjustments for key forms such as Form I-140, Form I-129, Form I-539 and Form I-765.

In a recent development, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revealed plans to raise premium processing fees for certain employment-based applications and petitions starting February 26, 2024. The announcement outlines the adjustments to be made with premium processing fees for various case types.

The revised premium processing fees are set as follows:

Form I-140: Employment-Based Immigrant Visa (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3)

Current Premium Processing Fee: $2500
New Premium Processing Fee: $2805
Increase: $305

Form I-129: Petition for Foreign Worker (H-1B, L-1A, L-1B,O-1, TN and other work visas)

Current Premium Processing Fee: $2500
New Premium Processing Fee: $2805
Increase: $305

H-2B & R-1 categories:

Current Fee: $1500
New Fee: $1685
Increase: $185

Form I-539: Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status

Current Premium Processing Fee: $1750
New Premium Processing Fee: $1965
Increase: $215

Form I-765: Employment Authorization Document for F-1 OPT

Current Premium Processing Fee: $1500
New Premium Processing Fee: $1685
Increase: $185

These adjustments will be applicable to premium processing requests postmarked on or after February 26, 2024, according to a USCIS press release. USCIS has also indicated its intention to implement increases in premium processing fees every two years in the future, with no changes planned for the timeframes associated with cases requesting premium service.

Notably, USCIS proposed substantial fee increases for various applications in January 2023, excluding premium processing fees. This broader fee change is under review, potentially to be finalized by April 2024.

Premium processing fee can significantly increase the cost of a work permit or immigrant visa. For employers and individuals applying, it’s important to know the government filing fees involved and anticipate future increases.

U.S. Immigration CounselRobert Wees