The United States has imposed a hike in the premium processing fees for various visa categories. March 1 will see the new fee structure kicking in. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has intimated the modifications through an official communique.
Cause for the Fee Upraise
USCIS mentioned the fee adjustment as the outcome of inflation during the period of June 2023 to June 2025. The rise in fees affects only those who select premium processing, which means quicker decision timelines.
Fee Changes for Employment-Based Visas
There has been an increase in the premium processing fee amounting to $2,805 to $2,965 for work-related visas filed under Form I-129. This is applicable to such visa categories as:
- H-1B
- L-1
- O-1
- P-1
- TN
Fee Changes for Student and Dependent Visas
For certain student and exchange-related applications filed under Form I-539, the premium processing fee has gone up from $1,965 to $2,075. This includes visas such as:
- F-1
- J-1
Impact on Applicants
USCIS said that with the additional income, it would be able to maintain the delivery of premium processing services. The fee hike will make it hard for applicants from numerous nations including Indian students and professionals.
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