US to Hike H-1B Visa Premium Processing Fees; Other Visas to Follow | Inflation-Driven Increase Takes Effect March 1

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant increase in premium processing fees for various immigration benefits, including the popular H-1B visa. From March 1, 2026, the new rates will apply, affecting US employers and foreign professionals alike. The premium processing fee, which allows for expedited decisions on work and employment-related visas, will rise from $2,805 to $2,965. This hike affects a broad range of employment visas, including H-1B and other work visa categories commonly used by US employers. According to USCIS, the increase reflects inflation between June 2023 and June 2025. The agency is acting under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which grants the Department of Homeland Security authority to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. The fee hike will impact US employers who sponsor foreign workers and visa holders who opt for faster processing to switch jobs or renew work permits. Indian nationals, who form a significant share of H-1B and other employment-based visa holders in the US, will be particularly affected. The additional revenue generated from the fee hike will be used to improve USCIS operations, including speeding up adjudication processes and reducing application backlogs. The agency aims to maintain the real value of the premium processing fee while meeting increasing demand. To take advantage of the premium processing, applicants must submit Form I-907 along with the new fee if their request is postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. Applications submitted with the old fee after this date will not be accepted. The fee increase comes at a time when US visa rules are under closer scrutiny. The US Embassy in India has warned visa applicants, especially those seeking H-1B and H-4 work visas, that violating US immigration laws can result in serious criminal penalties.