Increase in Premium Processing Fee

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is increasing the fee charged by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for premium processing. Effective October 1, 2018, the fee for premium processing will increase from $1,225 to $1,410.

Background on Fee Increase

For an added fee, premium processing allows a stakeholder to request the USCIS to process certain types of employment-based immigration benefits within 15 calendar days. This fee adjustment by the DHS represents a 14.92 percent increase.

In recent years, the USCIS has periodically had to suspend the availability of premium processing for certain types of H1B petitions due to work backlogs. Per a USCIS press release, the fee increase is intended to hire additional staff and improve technologies so that there may be fewer disruptions of premium processing service in the future.

Conclusion

For now, the fee for premium processing remains at $1,225. However, any premium-processing request filed on or after October 1st must include the new filing fee of $1,410.

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