Important Updates
Important Updates
April 7, 2026 | United StatesEB-5 Investors: Silicon Valley emerges as EB-5 hotspot for H-1B and F-1 visas
April 8, 2026 | United KingdomAviation Business News: A Tough Runway to UK Settlement - UK Aviation and the Impact of the Settlement Changes
April 8, 2026 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
April 7, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: New Mobile App for Biometrics Collection for Certain Eligible Visa Applicants
April 7, 2026 | CanadaCanada: Immigration Concessions for Ukrainian Citizens Extended
April 7, 2026 | United StatesEB-5 Investors: Silicon Valley emerges as EB-5 hotspot for H-1B and F-1 visas
April 8, 2026 | United KingdomAviation Business News: A Tough Runway to UK Settlement - UK Aviation and the Impact of the Settlement Changes
April 8, 2026 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
April 7, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: New Mobile App for Biometrics Collection for Certain Eligible Visa Applicants
April 7, 2026 | CanadaCanada: Immigration Concessions for Ukrainian Citizens Extended
April 7, 2026 | United StatesEB-5 Investors: Silicon Valley emerges as EB-5 hotspot for H-1B and F-1 visas
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Travel and Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastNavigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Travel and Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

United States: Reminder – Premium Processing Fees Increase Effective March 1

February 27, 2026

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a glance

  • The premium processing fee for I-140 immigrant worker petitions and most Form I-129 nonimmigrant worker petitions will increase to $2965, from $2805. Fees for premium processing of certain other petitions and applications will also increase.
  • The new fees will take effect for filings postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.

The issue

Effective March 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is increasing the fees for premium processing of certain employment-based applications and petitions. The final regulation adjusting the fees was published on January 12. This inflationary adjustment occurs on a biennial basis and the premium processing fees were last adjusted in February 2024.

The following new fees will apply to premium processing requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.

Case type 

Current Premium Processing Fee

Effective March 1, Premium Processing Fee

Increase


Form I-140


$2805


$2965


$160


Form I-129


$2805
$1685 (H-2B & R-1)


$2965
$1780 (H-2B & R-1)


$160
$95


Form I-539


$1965


$2075


$110


Form I-765
(F-1 OPT)

$1685

$1780

$95

 

What this means for employers

Employers should factor the new premium processing fees into their immigration budget.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Aviation Business News: A Tough Runway to UK Settlement - UK Aviation and the Impact of the Settlement Changes

Manager Adam Hickling outlines how proposed UK settlement reforms may affect the aviation sector’s ability to attract and retain skilled engineers and technicians.

Learn more

Video

Business Travelers into Switzerland | #MobilityMinute

Manager Mihaela Dumitru highlights key considerations for business travelers entering Switzerland, emphasizing that compliance is determined by activities—not duration of stay or entry status.

Learn more

Video

Mexico: Bienvenidos! Immigration Rules for the World Cup in Mexico | #FragomenFC - Ep.17

Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Mexico entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa processes, documentation requirements and key considerations for travelers.

Learn more

Video

Brazil Offshore Visa: Key Requirements Explained

Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s offshore visa requirements, including eligibility, application steps and key compliance considerations for assignments over 90 days.

Learn more

Media mentions

EB-5 Investors: Silicon Valley emerges as EB-5 hotspot for H-1B and F-1 visas

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses why EB-5 is becoming a popular option for H-1B and F-1 visa holders in Silicon Valley navigating multiple pathways to permanent residence.

Learn more

Media mentions

EB-5 Essentials: EB-5 for Africa and MENA: Processing Timelines, Travel Bans, and the 2026 Deadline

Partner Isha Atassi and Director Nofisatu Mojidi discuss key considerations for investors from Africa and the Middle East in the EB-5 program.

Learn more

Work authorization

German Offshore Wind Expansion: Compliance Essentials for Third-Country Nationals

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer examines how Germany’s strictly territorial migration and employment laws impact the deployment of third‑country nationals in offshore wind projects, highlighting compliance risks arising from maritime zone boundaries, work authorization limits and Schengen documentation challenges.

Learn more

Work authorization

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and Schengen Overstays: New Risks and Legal Solutions

Senior Associate Tugba Ozyakup and Senior Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis explore how the EU’s Entry/Exit System is reshaping Schengen overstay enforcement, the risks facing travellers and employers and the legal remedies available to challenge or prevent adverse outcomes.

Learn more

Video

Welcome to the Great White North—Immigration Behind the Beautiful Game | #FragomenFC - Ep. 16

Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Canada’s entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa-required and visa-exempt nationals, visitor entry rules and key planning considerations for fans, teams, media and volunteers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: DOL Wage Overhaul Adds to H-1B Sticker Shock for Employers

Partner Kevin Miner discusses the DOL’s proposed H-1B wage rule and its potential to add significant unplanned costs for US employers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Care Talk Business: What the Casey Commission Means for Social Care’s Workforce

Manager Asif Hanif, Senior Immigration Consultant Georgia Marshall and Immigration Consultant Inderjit Kaur examine how the Casey Commission could reshape workforce models, immigration policy and international recruitment in UK adult social care.

Learn more

Video

Staatsangehörigkeit Allgemein | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key pathways to German citizenship, including descent-based eligibility and standard naturalization requirements and outlines important considerations for individuals exploring their options.

Learn more

Media mentions

Aviation Business News: A Tough Runway to UK Settlement - UK Aviation and the Impact of the Settlement Changes

Manager Adam Hickling outlines how proposed UK settlement reforms may affect the aviation sector’s ability to attract and retain skilled engineers and technicians.

Learn more

Video

Business Travelers into Switzerland | #MobilityMinute

Manager Mihaela Dumitru highlights key considerations for business travelers entering Switzerland, emphasizing that compliance is determined by activities—not duration of stay or entry status.

Learn more

Video

Mexico: Bienvenidos! Immigration Rules for the World Cup in Mexico | #FragomenFC - Ep.17

Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Mexico entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa processes, documentation requirements and key considerations for travelers.

Learn more

Video

Brazil Offshore Visa: Key Requirements Explained

Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s offshore visa requirements, including eligibility, application steps and key compliance considerations for assignments over 90 days.

Learn more

Media mentions

EB-5 Investors: Silicon Valley emerges as EB-5 hotspot for H-1B and F-1 visas

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses why EB-5 is becoming a popular option for H-1B and F-1 visa holders in Silicon Valley navigating multiple pathways to permanent residence.

Learn more

Media mentions

EB-5 Essentials: EB-5 for Africa and MENA: Processing Timelines, Travel Bans, and the 2026 Deadline

Partner Isha Atassi and Director Nofisatu Mojidi discuss key considerations for investors from Africa and the Middle East in the EB-5 program.

Learn more

Work authorization

German Offshore Wind Expansion: Compliance Essentials for Third-Country Nationals

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer examines how Germany’s strictly territorial migration and employment laws impact the deployment of third‑country nationals in offshore wind projects, highlighting compliance risks arising from maritime zone boundaries, work authorization limits and Schengen documentation challenges.

Learn more

Work authorization

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and Schengen Overstays: New Risks and Legal Solutions

Senior Associate Tugba Ozyakup and Senior Immigration Manager Andreia Ghimis explore how the EU’s Entry/Exit System is reshaping Schengen overstay enforcement, the risks facing travellers and employers and the legal remedies available to challenge or prevent adverse outcomes.

Learn more

Video

Welcome to the Great White North—Immigration Behind the Beautiful Game | #FragomenFC - Ep. 16

Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss Canada’s entry requirements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including visa-required and visa-exempt nationals, visitor entry rules and key planning considerations for fans, teams, media and volunteers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: DOL Wage Overhaul Adds to H-1B Sticker Shock for Employers

Partner Kevin Miner discusses the DOL’s proposed H-1B wage rule and its potential to add significant unplanned costs for US employers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Care Talk Business: What the Casey Commission Means for Social Care’s Workforce

Manager Asif Hanif, Senior Immigration Consultant Georgia Marshall and Immigration Consultant Inderjit Kaur examine how the Casey Commission could reshape workforce models, immigration policy and international recruitment in UK adult social care.

Learn more

Video

Staatsangehörigkeit Allgemein | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key pathways to German citizenship, including descent-based eligibility and standard naturalization requirements and outlines important considerations for individuals exploring their options.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • AI Transparency Statement
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • AI Transparency Statement
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2026 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.