DHS Increasing Premium Processing Fee

08/31/2018

Today the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS") published a Final Rule in the Federal Register announcing it is increasing the USCIS premium processing fee to $1,410 effective October 1, 2018. The fee increase is based on changes in inflation, calculated using the Consumer Price Index.

In the Final Rule, DHS explained it intends to use the additional funds to hire new staff and improve the premium processing service, with the specific goal of suspending the service less often. DHS also intends "to made adequate investment in information technology systems to improve the adjudications process and the services provided to applicants and petitioners."