The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an increase in premium processing fees for immigration applications.
Effective March 1st, these fee adjustments are linked to accumulated inflation and will impact a range of immigration form categories, as stated by USCIS in a recent announcement.
The fees for forms I-129 (covering categories like H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN) and I-140 will rise from $2,805 to $2,965. Additionally, the I-539 form, used for extending or changing non-immigrant status (such as F-1, J-1, H-4), will increase from $1,965 to $2,075.
Moreover, the fee for the I-765 form associated with the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for F-1 students will now be $1,780, up from $1,685.
These updated fees must be paid separately from the main application, and the I-907 form is also required to be submitted.
Back in January, USCIS had already implemented several fee hikes for immigration processes as part of an annual inflation adjustment mandated by legislation H.R. 1.
The decision, published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2025, was a response to the rise in the cost of living observed between July 2024 and July 2025. Moving forward, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will conduct similar fee adjustments each fiscal year based on changes in the inflation index.
The new fee structure affected key forms such as the Employment Authorization Application (I-765), which will see an initial fee change from $550 to $560. Renewals or extensions of work permits under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will increase from $275 to $280, and the TPS Application (I-821) will go up from $500 to $510.
Minor adjustments were also made to the costs for the Advanced Parole Document (I-131), which will increase from $275 to $280. In contrast, fees for other forms, like the Asylum Application (I-589) and the Special Immigrant Juvenile Petition (I-360), will remain unchanged at $100 and $250, respectively.
Understanding USCIS Fee Changes
Why is USCIS raising fees for premium processing?
The fee increase is due to accumulated inflation and is part of an annual adjustment mandated by law to reflect the rising cost of living.
Which forms are affected by the new premium processing fees?
Forms I-129, I-140, I-539, and I-765 have increased fees under the new premium processing structure.
When will the new USCIS fees take effect?
The new fees will take effect on March 1st.