Final Updated:
Top class processing is fully optionally available, and is largely passe by employers and candidates who desire sooner adjudication timelines.
USCIS acknowledged the top class processing price has been elevated to reflect the amount of inflation from June 2023 by June 2025. (Representative image)
US Citizenship and Immigration Companies (USCIS) has announced an expand in top class processing prices for several immigration advantages, alongside side the H-1B visa, effective March 1. This designate hike will affect a vast vary of employment-primarily primarily primarily based and non-immigrant applications passe by foreign mavens, alongside side Indian nationals working or finding out within the United States.
USCIS acknowledged the top class processing price has been elevated to reflect the amount of inflation from June 2023 by June 2025. The agency is performing below the USCIS Stabilisation Act, which gives the Department of Hometown Safety the authority to adjust top class processing prices every two years to fable for inflation.
Instantaneous Tales
What Are The Novel Rates?
Below the revised price schedule, the top class processing price for Form I-129 petitions for H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant situation will upward push from $1,685 to $1,780.
Top class processing for all other available Form I-129 classifications- alongside side H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1 and TN visas- will expand from $2,805 to $2,965. $2,965 top class processing price will apply to Form I-140 immigrant petitions for alien workers at some level of employment-primarily primarily primarily based classes, up from the outdated $2,805.
For Form I-539 applications maintaining F-1 and F-2 students, J-1 and J-2 substitute guests, and M-1 and M-2 vocational students, the price will expand from $1,965 to $2,075.
For candidates attempting to search out expedited employment authorization, USCIS acknowledged the top class processing price for Form I-765 applications- alongside side Optional Gleaming Coaching (OPT) and STEM-OPT classifications- will expand from $1,685 to $1,780.
USCIS emphasised that the elevated revenue would possibly perchance well perchance perchance be passe to strengthen agency operations. “The revenue generated by this price expand will be passe to maintain top class processing companies; form improvements to adjudication processes; retort to adjudication calls for, alongside side processing backlogs; and otherwise fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization companies,” the notice said.
Will Indians Be Impacted?
The fee hikes are likely to impact many Indian professionals, students and employers, as Indians make up a larger share of H-1B, L-1, and other such applications.
Premium processing is entirely optional, and is mainly used by employers and applicants who want quicker adjudication timelines in cases such as job changes, visa extensions, travel plans or get clarity on their status faster.
Indian nationals are the largest beneficiaries of US employment-based visas, particularly the H-1B programme, and also account for a substantial portion of the employment-based green card backlog.
Optional Practical Training and STEM-OPT extensions are widely used by Indian students graduating from US universities as a bridge to longer-term work visas H-1B.
Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
First Published:
January 10, 2026, 22:06 IST
News world US Hikes Premium Processing Fees For H-1B Visa, Other Categories | Check New Rates
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
