USCIS Premium Processing Fees to Increase Starting October 19
This article covers USCIS's increase of Premium Processing fees effective October 19, 2020: H-2B and R-1 petitions rise to $1,500, while all other categories rise to $2,500. It also outlines the categories the appropriations act authorizes for Premium Processing expansion, the proposed fees and processing times for each, and related provisions on fee adjustments and case status inquiries.
Update: According to a USCIS announcement on October 16, 2020, effective October 19, 2020 (as evidenced by postmark), the Premium Processing fee for H-2B and R-1 will increase from $1,440 to $1,500; for all other categories, the Premium Processing fee will increase from $1,440 to $2,500. The notice is available here.
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The appropriations act H.R.8337, signed into law on October 1, authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to expand Premium Processing (PP) services and increase fees in order to address USCIS's fiscal deficit. The following is an excerpted translation from this document on the House of Representatives website. USCIS has not yet released specific implementation plans, but they are expected soon; applicants in categories such as EB-1/2/3 are advised to prepare early.
Categories Added to Premium Processing Options
- Nonimmigrant worker visa petitions, including categories that previously did not offer a PP option.
- EB-1/2/3 petitions, including categories that previously did not offer a PP option, such as EB-1C.
- Applications for change of status or extension of stay for nonimmigrant visas.
- Employment Authorization Documents (EAD).
- Other services that USCIS determines may be added to PP options.
Fees and Processing Times
- For existing premium processing services, H-2B and R status petitions are $1,500, and other categories increase from $1,440 to $2,500.
- The PP fee for EB-1C and EB2 NIW shall not exceed $2,500, and processing time shall not exceed 45 days.
- The PP fee for change of status to F/J/M shall not exceed $1,750, and processing time shall not exceed 30 days.
- For change of status or extension of stay for E/H/L/O/P/R dependent visas, the PP fee shall not exceed $1,750, and processing time shall not exceed 30 days.
- The PP application fee for EAD work cards shall not exceed $1,500, and processing time shall not exceed 30 days.
Other Matters
- USCIS may adjust PP fees every two years to address inflation.
- Fees collected through PP may be used not only for processing PP and infrastructure investment, but also for clearing backlogs, processing other cases, and covering costs of naturalization services, etc.
- USCIS may suspend PP services only when PP backlogs are too large to be processed in a timely manner.
- USCIS is required to provide reliable case status inquiries for PP applicants and maintain communication with applicants.
