At a glance
Effective October 1, the Form I-907 premium processing fee will increase to $1,410, from $1,225.
The situation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is increasing the Form I-907 premium processing fee to $1,410, from $1,225, according to a final rule published in the Federal Register. The fee increase is set to take effect on October 1, 2018. Applications postmarked on or after that date must include the new fee.
Premium processing is available for certain employment-based immigration petitions filed on USCIS Forms I-129 and I-140, permitting employers who pay an extra fee to request adjudication β approval, denial or a request for further evidence β within 15 calendar days. According to DHS, the new $1,410 premium processing fee represents a 14.92 percent increase, the percentage change in inflation since the fee was last adjusted in 2010 from $1,000 to $1,225.
As a reminder, premium processing for FY 2019 H-1B cap petitions has been suspended until February 19, 2019, and will be suspended for certain other H-1B case types from September 11, 2018 to February 19, 2019.
What this means
Requesting expedited adjudication of an eligible employment-based petition will become more expensive starting October 1. Employers should take the premium processing fee increase into consideration when budgeting for immigration-related expenses.
Further, the October 1 fee increase, combined with the September 11 suspension of premium processing for an array of non-cap-subject H-1B filings is likely to result in a surge in premium filings over the coming days. As a result, petitioners could see more Requests for Evidence (RFE) on premium processed petitions as USCIS works to manage its premium caseload.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotlandβs hospitality sector following the UK governmentβs increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Slocombe discusses what is considered US residency now that Prince Harry has changed his primary residence from the UK to US.
Media mentions
Director Willys MacβOlale shares the impact the AfCFTA will have on Kenyaβs economy and immigration policies.
Video
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio explains the process for posting foreign workers to France during the eagerly awaited 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce shares how a Supreme Court visa denial case could impact challenges to employment-based visa denials.
Awards
Partner Kevin Miner is selected by the Daily Report as a finalist in the βLegal Innovatorsβ category of the publicationβs 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotlandβs hospitality sector following the UK governmentβs increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Slocombe discusses what is considered US residency now that Prince Harry has changed his primary residence from the UK to US.
Media mentions
Director Willys MacβOlale shares the impact the AfCFTA will have on Kenyaβs economy and immigration policies.
Video
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio explains the process for posting foreign workers to France during the eagerly awaited 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce shares how a Supreme Court visa denial case could impact challenges to employment-based visa denials.
Awards
Partner Kevin Miner is selected by the Daily Report as a finalist in the βLegal Innovatorsβ category of the publicationβs 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.