USCIS Hikes H-1B Visa Fees
Analysis based on 9 articles · First reported Jan 10, 2026 · Last updated Jan 10, 2026
The increase in premium processing fees for H-1B visa and other employment-based visas by United States — United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will directly raise costs for US employers and foreign professionals, particularly those from India, who rely on expedited immigration services. This could lead to higher operational expenses for companies hiring international talent and potentially impact the attractiveness of the US for skilled foreign workers.
The United States — United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced an increase in premium processing fees for various immigration benefits, including the H-1B visa, effective March 1, 2026. This hike, justified by inflation between June 2023 and June 2025, will affect key employment-based and non-immigrant filings. For H-1B, L-1, O-1, P-1, and TN visas, the fee will rise from $2,805 to $2,965. Other categories like H-2B, R-1, I-140 immigrant petitions, I-539 applications (for F, J, M visas), and I-765 applications (for OPT/STEM-OPT) will also see increases. The revenue generated is intended to fund United States — United States Citizenship and Immigration Services operations, improve adjudication processes, and address backlogs. This change is expected to significantly impact Indian professionals, students, and employers, as India is the largest beneficiary of US employment-based visas. Additionally, the United States — United States Department of Homeland Security is implementing a new H-1B lottery system that prioritizes higher-paid and higher-skilled workers, effective February 27. The premium processing timeline has also been extended from 15 calendar days to 15 business days.
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