Washington, D.C.: The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a 12% increase in the premium processing fee for H-1B visa applications. The new fees, effective from February 26, 2024, will amount to $2805. The adjustment applies to forms I-129, I-140, I-539, and I-765.
Fee Adjustment Details:
– Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker):
– Current Fee: $2,500 (H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status)
– New Fee: $2,805 (All other available Form I-129 classifications)
– Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker):
– Current Fee: $2,500 (Employment-based (EB) classifications)
– New Fee: $2,805 (Employment-based (EB) classifications)
– Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status):
– Current Fee: $1,750 (Form I-539 classifications)
– New Fee: $1,965 (Form I-539 classifications)
– Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization):
– Current Fee: $1,500 (Certain F-1 students with categories C03A, C03B, C03C)
– New Fee: $1,685 (Certain F-1 students with categories C03A, C03B, C03C)
The fee adjustment aligns with the USCIS Stabilization Act and accounts for inflation from June 2021 to June 2023. The increased funds will support premium processing services, enhance adjudication responses, and improve other USCIS services. USCIS plans to continue biennial increases in premium processing fees in the future.