·United States of America·Material change·In force
USCIS final fee rule takes effect
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
USCIS implemented its first major fee schedule adjustment in nearly a decade, including differentiated H-1B filing fees by employer type.
What changed
- Form I-129 fees differ by employer size (small-employer discount for eligible petitioners).
- New Asylum Program Fee (USD 600 for most employers) was introduced and applies to H-1B, L-1, O-1, EB-type petitions.
- Premium processing was retained at USD 2,805 in the 2024 rule (later raised to USD 2,965 on 1 March 2026; 15 business days).
Routes affected
- H-1B Specialty Occupation
- L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive or Manager)
- L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialised Knowledge)
- O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
- EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Immigrant)
- EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
- EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers
Primary source
Primary source
USCIS — Final Fee Rule (2024) ↗ · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
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