The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule on January 12, 2026, that will increase the filing fee U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charges for the Premium Processing of certain applications to reflect the rate of inflation.
Premium Processing is a USCIS service that expedites the review of certain immigration petitions and applications. The Premium Processing fee increase will only affect applicants who request expedited USCIS processing.
The Final Rule and resulting fee increase will apply to requests for Premium Processing postmarked, that are postmarked or received via online filing, on or after March 1, 2026.
The respective fee increases for applications commonly utilized by Columbia ISSO are as follows:
- Form I–129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (including H–1B, O-1, E-3, and TN): $2,805 to $2,965.
- Form I–140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers: $2,805 to $2,965.
- Form I–539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status: $1,965 to $2,075.
- Form I–765, Application for Employment Authorization for F-1 Optional Practical Training or STEM Optional Practical Training Extension: $1,685 to $1,780.
Read more about the Premium Processing fee increase.
Columbia ISSO will update the impacted communities as the final rule’s effective date nears or if any additional information is received.
