On December 27, 2023, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a final rule that will raise the filing fees required to utilize its premium processing service. According to USCIS, the increased fees represent adjustments for inflation that follow its efforts to adjust premium processing fees on a biennial basis as permitted by the USCIS Stabilization Act that was passed in 2020. USCIS claims that it will use the increased revenue “to provide premium processing services; make improvements to adjudications processes; respond to adjudication demands, including reducing benefit request processing backlogs; and otherwise fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services.” 

 The new fees will become effective on February 26, 2024, so any filings postmarked or receipted by private courier on or after this date will require the increased fee. USCIS provided a table summarizing the new fees: 

Foster will continue to monitor any new Department of Homeland Security rules and will make future updates available via the Foster website at www.fosterglobal.com.