USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increase 2026: New I-907 Costs for H-1B, I-140, OPT & More

If you are planning to pay for premium processing on an H-1B, I-140, or OPT case, the cost just went up. Effective March 1, 2026, USCIS increased its premium processing (Form I-907) fees across the board to account for inflation from June 2023 through June 2025. This guide breaks down the exact new fees, who is affected, the filing deadline that matters, and whether paying for premium processing is still worth it in 2026.

What Changed and When

Under the USCIS Stabilization Act, DHS is allowed to adjust premium processing fees every two years to keep pace with inflation. The final rule published on January 9, 2026 does exactly that.

The key date: any premium processing request postmarked on or after March 1, 2026 must include the new fee. Requests postmarked before March 1 can still use the old fee. There is no change to the 15-business-day processing guarantee — only the price.

New Premium Processing Fees (Effective March 1, 2026)

Form / Category	Previous Fee	New Fee	Increase
I-129 — H-2B or R-1	$1,685	$1,780	+$95
I-129 — H-1B, E-1/2/3, L-1A/B, O-1, O-2, P, Q-1, TN	$2,805	$2,965	+$160
I-140 — EB-1/EB-2/EB-3 (incl. NIW)	$2,805	$2,965	+$160
I-539 — F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, M-2 dependents	$1,965	$2,075	+$110
I-765 — OPT & STEM-OPT (EAD)	$1,685	$1,780	+$95

Bottom line: H-1B petitioners and green-card applicants using I-140 premium processing now pay $2,965, while F-1 students requesting OPT/STEM-OPT EAD premium processing pay $1,780.

Who Is Affected

• H-1B workers and employers filing Form I-129 with premium processing — the single largest group affected by the $2,805 → $2,965 jump.
• Green-card applicants using I-140 premium processing, including EB-2 NIW self-petitioners.
• F-1 students requesting premium processing on OPT and STEM-OPT EAD applications (I-765).
• F, J, and M dependents filing I-539 to extend or change status.

If your case type does not appear in the table, premium processing may not be available for it — you can only request premium processing for a benefit where USCIS has announced it is available.

How to Request Premium Processing in 2026

1. Confirm premium processing is currently available for your specific form and classification.
2. Complete Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, following the form instructions.
3. Include the new fee if your request is postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.
4. USCIS then has 15 business days to issue an approval, denial, request for evidence (RFE), or notice of intent to deny. Miss the deadline and USCIS refunds the premium fee while continuing expedited handling.

Is Premium Processing Still Worth It?

Premium processing speeds up adjudication — it does not improve your odds of approval. It is usually worth the higher 2026 fee when:

• You have a fixed employment start date or a project deadline.
• Your OPT is expiring and you need the H-1B or EAD decision quickly.
• A spouse’s H-4 EAD or status depends on your case being approved first.
• You have international travel planned and need the document in hand.

It is often not necessary when there is no time pressure and your petition is well-documented. A strong, complete filing matters far more than speed. For a realistic view of standard (non-premium) timelines, check our USCIS processing times tracker and the H-1B processing overview before deciding.

How to Save on the Fee

• File before March 1, 2026 if your case is ready — you lock in the old, lower fee.
• Skip premium processing if your priority date is far from current (for I-140 cases, a faster I-140 won’t help if the visa bulletin date isn’t current).
• Bundle timing with your attorney so you only pay for speed when it actually shortens your real-world timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is H-1B premium processing in 2026? $2,965 for Form I-129 H-1B requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026 (up from $2,805).

How much is OPT/STEM-OPT premium processing in 2026? $1,780 for Form I-765 OPT and STEM-OPT EAD requests (up from $1,685).

Did the premium processing timeline change? No. The 15-business-day guarantee is unchanged — only the fee increased.

What form do I use to request premium processing? Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing. It can be filed together with your petition or after it is already pending.

What happens if USCIS misses the 15-day window? USCIS refunds the premium processing fee and continues to process your case on an expedited basis.

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Fees and availability change frequently. Always confirm the current amount and whether premium processing is offered for your specific benefit before filing. For live, community-sourced processing data, explore our USCIS processing times tracker and browse more guides on the blog.