Key Takeaways:
- USCIS has announced an increase in premium processing fees for certain visa petitions, effective from February 26, 2024.
- Premium processing allows for expedited processing of visa categories, providing faster adjudication for employers and individuals.
- The fee adjustments are aimed at managing operational costs, reducing processing backlogs, and enhancing adjudication and naturalization services.
Understanding the USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increase
Premium processing is a service offered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows for expedited processing of certain visa petitions. For those in need of quicker immigration services, it is crucial to stay updated on the changes related to premium processing fees, especially with the most recent updates announced by USCIS.
What is Premium Processing?
Premium processing provides a means for petitioners to receive faster adjudication of certain visa categories by paying an additional fee. This service is particularly useful for employers and individuals who are seeking timely decisions on their immigration status.
Recent Changes in Premium Processing Fees
As part of its ongoing efforts to manage operational costs and service levels, USCIS has released a final rule regarding an inflation-adjusted increase in fees for premium processing.
“The USCIS Stabilization Act established the current premium processing fees and the authority for the Department of Homeland Security to adjust the premium fees on a biennial basis.”
After a period of three years, the fee adjustments reflective of inflation from June 2021 through June 2023 have been set. These adjustments have resulted in an increase in certain premium processing fees as follows:
- For Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker), fees have been adjusted from $1,500 to $1,685 or from $2,500 to $2,805, depending on the classification.
- For Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker), the premium processing fee has increased from $2,500 to $2,805.
- For Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status), the fee is now $1,965, up from $1,750.
- Likewise, Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) for certain F-1 students has seen an increase from $1,500 to $1,685.
This fee hike is not solely for revenue but is also meant to enhance the processing services and contribute to reducing the backlog of processing requests.
“DHS will use the revenue generated by the premium processing fee increase to provide premium processing services; make improvements to adjudications processes; respond to adjudication demands, including reducing benefit request processing backlogs; and otherwise fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services.”
The new fee structure will be effective starting February 26, 2024. It’s important to note that applications received on or after this date with the incorrect fee will be rejected, and USCIS will return the filing fee.
Previous Fee vs New Fee
| Form | Previous Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Form I-129 (H-2B or R-1) | $1,500 | $1,685 |
| Form I-129 (Other Classifications) | $2,500 | $2,805 |
| Form I-140 | $2,500 | $2,805 |
| Form I-539 | $1,750 | $1,965 |
| Form I-765 (Certain F-1 Students) | $1,500 | $1,685 |
Important Dates and How to Send Premium Processing Requests
For those planning to utilize premium processing, it’s imperative to be aware of the upcoming changes to avoid delays:
- Effective Date of New Fees: February 26, 2024
- Postmark Rule: USCIS will use the postmark date to determine the fee. For commercial couriers like UPS, FedEx, and DHL, the courier receipt date denotes the postmark date.
How to Determine Eligibility for Premium Processing
Not all immigration benefits qualify for premium processing. Therefore, before requesting this expedited service, confirm whether USCIS has announced the availability of premium processing for your specific benefit on their official website.
Navigating the USCIS Fee Increase
For those in the immigration process, understanding and adjusting to the USCIS fee increase is part of efficiently managing your immigration journey. Careful planning and adherence to the updated fees and deadlines are essential to avoid unnecessary challenges.
To stay updated and for more detailed information on USCIS forms, fees, and procedures, regularly consult the USCIS official website. By remaining vigilant about these changes, you can maintain proactive management of your immigration status and avoid any setbacks caused by fee increases, such as the latest USCIS premium processing fees increased under the new rule.
So there you have it, folks! The USCIS premium processing fee increase is no joke, but with a little knowledge and planning, you can navigate these changes like a pro. Stay up-to-date on the latest USCIS forms, fees, and procedures at visaverge.com. Remember, in the world of immigration, staying informed is key, so hop on over to visaverge.com and keep those fees in check. Happy processing!
This Article in a Nutshell:
Premium processing, offered by the USCIS, lets you get faster visa approvals by paying an extra fee. Recently, the USCIS increased the premium processing fees for certain forms, to help improve processing services and reduce backlogs. It’s important to stay updated on these changes and make sure to use the correct fee when applying. Check USCIS website for details.
