Starting February 26, 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement increased fees for premium processing of certain employment-based petitions and applications.
Key Fee Increases:
- Form I-140 and most Form I-129 petitions: From $2,500 to $2,805.
- Form I-129 (H-2B & R-1): From $1,500 to $1,685.
- Form I-539: From $1,750 to $1,965.
- Form I-765 (F-1 OPT): From $1,500 to $1,685.
Implications for Employers:
- Effective Date: Increases apply to filings postmarked on or after February 26, 2024.
- Future Increases: USCIS plans biennial adjustments to premium processing fees.
- Budget Planning: Employers should prepare for these changes in their immigration budgeting.
With USCIS set to raise premium processing fees, employers need to anticipate higher costs and adjust their immigration budgets accordingly.
