US Immigration Update: Premium Processing Fees Hiked for H-1B, OPT, and Green Cards

by Nakul_Mehra

Banner1920×1072 285 KB

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a hike in premium processing fees* for key visa and green card applications, effective March 1, 2026. The agency cited inflation between June 2023 and June 2025 as the reason for the increase.

New premium processing fees:

H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, TN visas (Form I-129): $2,965 (₹2.4 lakh approx), up from $2,805

H-2B, R-1 visas: $1,780 (₹1.44 lakh approx), up from $1,685

Employment-based green cards (Form I-140): $2,965 (₹2.4 lakh approx), up from $2,805

F-1/F-2, J-1/J-2, M-1/M-2 status change (Form I-539): $2,075 (₹1.68 lakh approx), up from $1,965

OPT/STEM-OPT employment authorisation (Form I-765): $1,780 (₹1.44 lakh approx), up from $1,685

Why it matters for Indian students and professionals:

Indian nationals make up a large share of H-1B, L-1, green card, and OPT filings. Premium processing helps fast-track visa approvals, work authorisation, and travel plans.

USCIS says the additional revenue will support case processing, backlogs, and operational improvements.

Stay updated and plan your applications wisely with GD Connect, where experts and alumni guide you through the process.

Source: Business Standard

*Note: Premium processing is an optional service that allows applicants to get faster decisions on certain visa or green card applications, usually within 15 calendar days, instead of waiting for the regular processing time.