H-1B Visa Premium Processing Costs to Rise in March
The premium processing fee for all remaining Form I-129 categories—such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, and TN visas—will rise from $2,805 to $2,965.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an increase in premium processing fees for several immigration benefits, including the H-1B visa, effective March 1.
USCIS stated that the premium processing fees are being increased to reflect inflation from June 2023 to June 2025.
These changes will impact essential employment-based and nonimmigrant filings widely used by foreign professionals, including Indian citizens working or studying in the United States.
Under the revised fee schedule, the premium processing fee for Form I-129 petitions for H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status will increase from $1,685 to $1,780.
Premium processing for all other available Form I-129 classifications—including H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, and TN visas—will increase from $2,805 to $2,965.
USCIS also stated that the same $2,965 premium processing fee will apply to Form I-140 immigrant petitions for foreign workers in all employment-based categories, up from the previous $2,805.
Premium processing fees will also increase for certain applications to extend or change non-immigrant status. For Form I-539 applications covering F-1 and F-2 students, J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors, and M-1 and M-2 vocational students, the fee will increase from $1,965 to $2,075.
USCIS announced that for applicants seeking expedited job authorization, the premium processing fee for Form I-765 applications—including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM-OPT classifications—will increase from $1,685 to $1,780.
USCIS emphasized that the increased revenue will be used to support the agency’s operations. The notice stated, “The revenue generated from this fee increase will be used to provide premium processing services, improve the adjudication process, address adjudication demands, including processing backlogs, and fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services.”
The fee changes are expected to directly impact Indian professionals, students, and employers, who constitute a significant portion of H-1B, L-1, employment-based green card, and OPT filings.
Premium processing is frequently used by employers and applicants who require expedited decisions for job changes, extensions, travel planning, and securing their immigration status.
Indian nationals are among the largest beneficiaries of US employment-based visas, particularly the H-1B program, and also account for a substantial portion of the employment-based green card backlog.
Indian students graduating from US universities heavily utilize Optional Practical Training and STEM-OPT extensions as a bridge to longer-term work visas like the H-1B.
