On 1 March 2026, USCIS implemented an increase in fees for I-140 Premium Processing fees for multiple visa types including EW3 (EB-3 Other Workers category). USCIS reviews fees every two years for inflation.
The previous fee for I-140 Premium Processing is USD 2,805.
The new fee which started on 1 March 2026 is now USD 2,965. This means the fee has increased by USD 160.
This means the total I-140 fee with Premium Processing from 1 March 2026 will be:
USD 715 (I-140 Standard Fee) + USD 600 (Asylum Fee) = USD 1,315 + USD 2,965 (Premium Processing) = USD 4, 280
I-140 Premium Processing FAQ
Does Premium Processing make my visa availability & embassy interview come sooner?
Not at the moment. Your visa availability & embassy interview always follows the Priority Date listed on your Labor Certificate.
If there is no EB-3 backlog i.e. the Visa Bulletin for Other Workers is ‘C’ (Current), then Premium Processing will make your interview and visa issuance be scheduled sooner.
However, the current backlog means that Premium Processing will have no impact on the timing of the visa availability and embassy interview.
Does Premium Processing make my I-140 approval faster?
Yes. If you choose Premium Processing, your I-140 will be processed by USCIS in just 2 weeks. With the time your immigration lawyer needs to complete the application, you can expect a total processing time of approximately 5-6 weeks.
Premium Processing also helps to file the DS-260 visa application earlier which will see NVC confirm the completion of your documents for application faster.
Please note that this does not change the Priority Date for the visa availability and embasy interview of your application.
How long does an I-140 take without Premium Processing?
It can take between approximately 12-14 months.
Who should consider doing Premium Processing?
Applicants who want to have peace of mind to have their I-140, DS-260 and NVC notification processed quickly can consider Premium Processing.
Who should not consider doing Premium Processing?
If you have a child who is at risk of aging out, you should not consider Premium Processing. This is because the Child Protection Status Act (CPSA) subtracts the time of the visa petition process from the age of a child if they turn 21 during the application process.
Read the article: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/child-status-protection-act-cspa
Conclusion:
Isaford Immigration recommends choosing Premium Processing for applicants with young children or no children, so your application can be ‘documentarily complete’ at the earliest possible opportunity to give you peace of mind. Please remember that it does not make the Priority Date for visa availability and interview schedule move faster.
It is the choice of individual applicants whether to select Premium Processing.
For applicants who have children at risk of aging out, Isaford Immigration does not recommend selecting Premium Processing to take advantage of the CPSA.
