The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced significant changes to visa processing fees effective March 1, 2026, including increases in premium processing fees for various visa categories such as H-1B, F-1, L, O-1, and P visas. The premium processing fee will rise by approximately $50 to $100, with expedited review times of 15 to 45 business days. This fee hike aims to fund improvements in adjudication processes and address the large backlog of cases. Additionally, USCIS is introducing new fees for student visas (Form I-539) and STEM OPT applications (Form I-765). Alongside fee adjustments, several other immigration measures are being implemented: - The Department of Labor (DOL) and DHS are adding 35,000 H-2B visas for FY 2026, targeting sectors like seafood, forestry, hospitality, and manufacturing. - The Department of State (DOS) is requiring nationals from certain countries to post visa bonds (ranging from $5,000 to $15,000) and to enter and exit the U.S. through designated ports of entry. - DHS has launched Operation PARRIS, a comprehensive fraud investigation focusing on approximately 233,000 refugee cases from January 2021 to February 2025, to enhance screening standards. These updates reflect broader efforts to streamline immigration processing, combat fraud, and manage the growing backlog of applications. The fee increases and policy changes are part of the Trump administration’s recent efforts to modify immigration procedures and funding.