In a move set to take effect on February 26, 2024, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revealed a substantial adjustment to premium processing fees for various visa categories.
This decision, influenced by current inflation rates, aligns with the directives of the USCIS Stabilization Act, which empowers the Department of Homeland Security to revise fees every two years.
Premium processing, a specialized service offered by USCIS, facilitates an expedited review of select visa applications. In exchange for an additional fee, applicants can anticipate a decision within a mere 15 days, a remarkable reduction from the standard processing time that often spans several months.
The revised fee structure introduces increases for Form I-129, the Nonimmigrant Worker Petitions, with fees climbing from $1,500 to $1,685 for H-2B and R-1 visas, and from $2,500 to $2,805 for other categories such as H-1B, L-1, and O-1. The fee for Form I-140, associated with Immigrant Worker Petitions, is also set to rise from $2,500 to $2,805 across all employment-based categories.
Moreover, the fee for Form I-539, utilized for changing or extending nonimmigrant status, will see an uptick from $1,750 to $1,965 for specific classifications, including F-1, M-1, J-1, H-4, among others. Meanwhile, the fee for Form I-765, the Employment Authorization application, is slated to increase from $1,500 to $1,685 for specific F-1 student categories.
The generated revenue from these adjustments is earmarked to enhance premium processing services, streamline adjudication processes, alleviate backlogs in processing benefit requests, and bolster USCIS adjudication and naturalization services.
Applicants are advised to take note that any Form I-907 postmarked on or after February 26, 2024, with an incorrect filing fee will be summarily rejected, and the fee refunded. This policy applies to submissions through both regular mail and commercial courier services.
For the latest information and updates, individuals are encouraged to visit the USCIS website.
