Increased Premium Processing Fees in 2024
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced increases to its premium processing fees to account for inflation. Starting February 26, 2024, it will cost a bit more to expedite certain immigration applications. Premium processing allows immigration applicants to have their applications reviewed more quickly by paying an extra fee to expedite their applications.
What Is Premium Processing?
USCIS Premium Processing is an optional service offered by USCIS that allows you to expedite the processing of certain immigration petitions and applications. Typically, processing times for immigration forms can range from months to years, but with Premium Processing, you can receive a decision on your case within a guaranteed timeframe, usually 15 calendar days, although some forms have different timeframes.
Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, is the official document you use to request expedited processing for certain eligible immigration forms with USCIS. It’s a special application you buy to have your application moved to a faster lane for review.
What Premium Processing Fees Are Increasing In 2024?
The cost of requesting faster processing (typically within 15 calendar days) for various immigration forms will increase slightly. Here are the premium processing fee increases going into effect in February 2024:
- H-2B or R-1 non-immigrant visas: Up from $1,500 to $1,685.
- Other non-immigrant employment visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN): Up from $2,500 to $2,805.
- Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (I-140): Up from $2,500 to $2,805.
- Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status (I-539): Up from $1,750 to $1,965.
- Application for Employment Authorization (EADs) (I-765): Up from $1,500 to $1,685.
Important note: If you submit your Form I-907 (Request for Premium Processing) with the old fee after February 26, 2024, USCIS will reject it and return it to you. So, make sure you pay the updated amount to avoid delays.
USCIS plans to use the additional revenue from these fee increases to improve both premium processing services and overall adjudication processes, with the goal of reducing application backlogs.
Check the USCIS website for detailed information on specific forms and updated fees.
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