The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a final rule regarding adjusting premium processing fees for eligible forms, including the widely used Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing. This adjustment will take effect on February 26, 2024, and is part of the USCIS Stabilization Act’s biennial review to account for inflation.
Background on Premium Processing Fee Adjustment
The premium processing fees were established by the USCIS Stabilization Act, which also granted the Department of Homeland Security the authority to adjust these fees every two years. After keeping the fees unchanged for three years following the Act’s passage, the Department of Homeland Security is implementing adjustments to reflect the inflationary changes from June 2021 through June 2023.
Increased Premium Processing Fees
The adjustment affects specific premium processing fees, increasing them to better align with inflation. Notably, the fees for Form I-907 will be adjusted as follows:
- From $1,500 to $1,685
- From $1,750 to $1,965
- From $2,500 to $2,805
Purpose of Fee Increase
The revenue generated by the premium processing fee increase will be utilized to enhance premium processing services, improve adjudication processes, address adjudication demands, including reducing benefit request processing backlogs, and fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services.
Effective Date and Rejection of Incorrect Filings
The fee change will go into effect on February 26, 2024. If USCIS receives a Form I-907 postmarked on or after this date with an incorrect filing fee, the form will be rejected, and the filing fee will be returned. For those using commercial courier services like UPS, FedEx, and DHL, the postmark date is reflected on the courier receipt.
Revised Fees for Other Eligible Forms
The adjustment also impacts fees for other eligible forms. Here’s a summary of the adjusted fees for some commonly used forms:
- Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker): Adjusted from $1,500 to $1,685 (H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status) and from $2,500 to $2,805 (All other available Form I-129 classifications).
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker): The fee has been adjusted from $2,500 to $2,805 (for Employment-based (EB) classifications).
- Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status): Adjusted from $1,750 to $1,965 (Form I-539 classifications).
- Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization): The fee has been adjusted from $1,500 to $1,685 (for certain F-1 students with categories C03A, C03B, and C03C).
Conclusion: Staying Informed for Accurate Submissions
In conclusion, staying informed about the USCIS premium processing fee adjustment is crucial for accurate submissions and compliance with the new filing fees. The increased fees are intended to fund improvements and address processing challenges within the USCIS system. As these changes go into effect on Feb. 26, 2024, applicants and petitioners should ensure that their filings align with the updated fee structure to avoid any potential rejections. USCIS remains committed to providing efficient adjudication processes and services, and these adjustments are part of ongoing efforts to streamline and enhance the immigration system.
Subscribe to Our Resources Blog
If you found this helpful information, please share this post and consider subscribing to our newsletter for more timely updates.
Subscribe to Our Resources Blog
Read the Full Announcement Here
We Can Help!
You may have questions regarding USCIS policies. We invite you to contact our team at Richards and Jurusik for detailed guidance and assistance. We aim to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to make your immigration process smoother and less stressful. The immigration lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience helping people to work and live in the United States. Read some of our hundreds of 5-star client reviews! Contact us today to assess your legal situation.
