H-1B Extension Costs Rise: New Premium Processing Fees 2026
Starting March 1, 2026, filing for faster processing of your H-1B extension or work permit just got more expensive. USCIS quietly raised its premium processing fees — and if you send the wrong amount, your case could be rejected. Here is what changed and what you need to do right now.
What Changed on March 1, 2026
If you are filing for an H-1B extension (or any other visa petition that uses premium processing), you are now paying more. USCIS raised its premium processing fees starting March 1, 2026. Any request postmarked on or after that date must include the new, higher fee. If you sent the old amount, USCIS may reject your package.
The reason for the increase is inflation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) calculated that prices rose 5.72 percent between June 2023 and June 2025, using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) — a standard government measure of inflation. DHS is required by law to adjust premium processing fees to keep up with inflation roughly every two years. The last adjustment happened in February 2024. This new increase is the next scheduled step.
Immigration Deadlines 2026 — Free
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Premium processing is an optional, faster service offered by USCIS. When you pay the premium processing fee, USCIS promises to take action on your case — such as approving it, denying it, or sending a request for more evidence — within 15, 30, or 45 business days, depending on the form type. If USCIS misses that deadline, it must refund your fee. Without premium processing, wait times can stretch many months. For workers on H-1B status who need a quick decision to keep their job or travel, this service is often essential. The standard filing fee for Form I-129 (the petition your employer files to sponsor your H-1B) remains $730, separate from the premium processing fee.
What to Do
- Check the date on your filing. If you are mailing a premium processing request on or after March 1, 2026, you must use the new fee amount. Using the old amount will likely cause USCIS to reject your package and delay your case.
- Ask your employer or HR team to confirm they are using the updated fee. Many employers pay the premium processing fee on behalf of their workers — make sure they know about this change.
- If you already filed before March 1, 2026 with the old fee, you do not need to do anything. The old fee was valid for requests postmarked before that date.
- Lawyers recommend keeping a copy of your mailing receipt and the check or payment confirmation, so you can prove the postmark date if there is any dispute about which fee applied.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
If your H-1B status or work authorization depends on a timely USCIS decision, a rejected premium processing package can create serious gaps — including loss of work authorization. Always verify the current fee on the official USCIS website the day before you mail, since fee changes take effect by postmark date, not receipt date. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies for premium processing or how a delay could affect your status, consult an immigration attorney before filing.