Washington: US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a hike in the premium processing fee for H-1B visa applications. After an increase of 12%, the new fees will amount to $2805. This change will come into effect next year on February 26. As per the announcement on December 27, the premium processing fees have increased for the forms I-129, I-140, I-539, and I-765.
In accordance with the USCIS Stabilization Act, the latest processing fee change includes the applications for H-1B visas. These applications fall under form I-129, a petition for a nonimmigrant worker. The current fee is $2,500. However, after a 12% hike, the new fees will amount to $2805, effective next year. Other classifications of form I-129 also include L1, which is filed for intercompany transfer visas.
This increase reflects inflation from June 2021 to June 2023. It will be used to provide premium processing services, improve and respond to adjudication, and other USCIS services. Moreover, USCIS will continue to increase the premium processing fees biennially in the future.