USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increase Effective March 1, 2026 – File Early to Save Money & Avoid Delays
Published: January 15, 2026 | Truong Law Firm, PLLC – Houston & Vietnam Offices
On January 15, 2026, USCIS announced the final rule increasing premium processing fees to reflect inflation from June 2023 to June 2025. The new fees take effect March 1, 2026. Any premium processing request postmarked on or after this date must use the updated fees—otherwise it will be rejected.
Premium processing guarantees faster adjudication (usually 15–45 business days), which is especially valuable for Vietnamese families pursuing U.S. immigration: spousal/fiancé visas (CR-1/IR-1, K-1/K-3), parent/child sponsorship (F4/F2A/IR-2), or waivers after deportation (I-601/I-212). With stricter Trump administration policies expected in 2026—including family visa reductions, longer backlogs, and mass deportations—filing early with premium processing significantly improves your chances of quick family reunification.
New Premium Processing Fees (From March 1, 2026)
| Form | Current Fee (before Mar 1, 2026) | New Fee (from Mar 1, 2026) | Increase |
| I-129 (H-1B, L-1, O, P, incl. I-129F for K-1/CR-1) | $2,805 | $2,965 | +$160 |
| I-140 (Employment-based, NIW) | $2,805 | $2,965 | +$160 |
| I-539 (Change/extension of status) | $1,965 | $2,075 | +$110 |
| I-765 (Employment Authorization) | $1,595 | $1,685 | +$90 |
Save $90–$160 by filing before March 1, 2026!
Why File Early with Truong Law Firm?
- Lock in current fees and lower your total costs.
- Accelerate processing before potential 2026 backlogs worsen under new policies.
- Minimize denial risks with thorough case review (especially for I-601/I-212 waivers involving criminal history or prior removal).
- Specialized experience with Vietnamese clients: marriage visas, family sponsorship, post-deportation waivers.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation and prepare your petition before the fee hike. Our Houston and Ho Chi Minh City office handles the full process—from document preparation to status tracking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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- When does the fee increase start? March 1, 2026. Premium requests postmarked on/after this date require new fees.
- Which common Vietnamese cases benefit from premium processing? K-1/CR-1 fiancé/spouse visas, F4/F2A/IR-2 family petitions, I-539 extensions, and I-601/I-212 waivers.
- Should I wait until close to March 1 to file? No—filing early secures lower fees, avoids longer queues, and takes advantage of faster processing before policy changes tighten.
- Does Truong Law Firm handle premium processing? Yes—we prepare your entire case, include Form I-907, and monitor progress to save you time and reduce errors.
- How can I get free advice? Call our HCM hotline or submit the form on this website. We respond within 24 hours.
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Consulting
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Application Support
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