The United States Department of Homeland Security has issued a new rule adjusting premium processing fees charged by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, with effect from March 1, 2026. The adjustment responds to inflation between June 2023 and June 2025, according to the official news release. Premium processing allows certain applicants to pay an extra fee in exchange for expedited review of their applications. For international students and recent graduates, the most directly relevant fee changes affect Form I-539, used to extend or change nonimmigrant status, and Form I-765, used for employment authorization including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT).
What premium processing means for F-1 students
Premium processing is optional. It does not guarantee approval, but it obligates USCIS to respond with a decision or a request for evidence within a set period, typically 15 calendar days. Students and graduates often use premium processing to shorten waiting times for critical authorizations, such as work authorization under OPT. The premium processing request is filed on Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, alongside the primary form (I-539 or I-765) with all required fees. The premium processing fee cannot be waived and must be paid separately from other filing fees.
New fee structure for student-related filings
The new premium processing fees that apply to student-related forms from March 1, 2026, are summarised below:
USCIS will reject premium processing requests that do not include the correct fee amount for filings postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.
Who is affected
For students in the United States on F-1 visas, the two forms most often associated with premium processing are:
- Form I-539: Used by students to apply for an extension of their F-1 status or to change status to another nonimmigrant category. Premium processing shortens the time USCIS takes to approve or deny requests to adjust status.
- Form I-765: Used by F-1 students applying for OPT or STEM OPT extensions. Premium processing can accelerate the employment authorization decision, critical for graduates with job offers tied to start dates or training deadlines.
It is important to note that premium processing may only be requested if USCIS has announced that the particular benefit is eligible. Not all I-765 categories are continuously eligible, but OPT and STEM OPT have been made eligible in earlier USCIS guidance.
Practical implications for students
The fee increases mean that students and recent graduates choosing premium processing will face higher costs for expedited service beginning March 1, 2026. This change does not alter the underlying eligibility criteria for OPT, STEM OPT or status extensions. It does, however, raise the cost of securing faster decisions, which students and advisors may need to build into planning and budgeting for applications submitted after the compliance date.Even with higher fees, premium processing remains a tool for individuals seeking to manage timing risk. For example, to obtain work authorization ahead of a job’s start date or before a status expiration. Prospective applicants should check USCIS announcements on eligibility each year, as eligibility for premium processing of certain forms, including Form I-765 categories, has expanded over time.
Ahead of the fee change
Students and advisors should ensure that any premium processing request submitted on or after March 1, 2026, includes the updated fee amounts. If the premium processing request is filed with an incorrect fee after that date, USCIS will reject the Form I-907. Applications filed before the compliance date may use the existing lower fees, provided they are postmarked before March 1, 2026.
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