Overview
- Premium-processing fees will rise on March 1, 2026 for select filings, including Form I-129 (H-2B or R-1) from $1,685 to $1,780, other I-129 classifications from $2,805 to $2,965, Form I-140 from $2,805 to $2,965, Form I-539 from $1,965 to $2,075, and certain I-765 filings (OPT/STEM-OPT) from $1,685 to $1,780.
- USCIS will require the new amounts on any premium request postmarked March 1 or later via Form I-907, and it continues to guarantee adjudication within 15, 30, or 45 business days for eligible categories or refund the fee.
- DHS finalized a rule replacing the random H‑1B lottery with a weighted selection favoring higher qualifications and wages, which takes effect February 27, 2026 for the FY 2027 cap season.
- Only the 08/21/25 edition of Form I‑765 will be accepted starting March 5, 2026, with the 01/20/25 edition still valid until that date.
- USCIS extended the Form I‑9 expiration to May 31, 2027 and set a January 22, 2026 deadline for E‑Verify employers to download certain older case records, while a January 1 DHS memo continues to pause final decisions for applicants from designated high‑risk countries subject to enhanced review.