Premium Processing in Immigration

 

The speed of the business world and the speed of the immigration system are rarely the same.  In the high-paced business world it is difficult to wait weeks or even months to receive immigration approval from the USCIS.

Acknowledging its slowness, the USCIS provides certain employment-based immigration petitioners to receive a response within 15 days.  The service, called Premium Processing, comes at a cost – currently $1225 – that is payable to the Immigration Agency.  With Premium Processing, the immigration agency guarantees that it will provide a response to a petition within 15 days of receiving a petition.  Additionally, the immigration agency provides direct contact information for attorneys to utilize for Premium Processing cases.

Premium Processing is available for many nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.  The Premium Processing Chart below show the petitions that can currently utilize premium processing.

Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
Designated Classification Within Form I-129 Corresponding Nonimmigrant Classification Availability Date* Termination Date**
Treaty Trader E-1 June 1, 2001  
Treaty Investor E-2 June 1, 2001  
Alien in Specialty Occupation H-1B July 30, 2001  
Temporary Worker performing nonagricultural services H-2B June 1, 2001  
Trainee or Special Education Exchange Visitor H-3 June 1, 2001  
Intracompany Transferee, Executive or Manager Capacity L-1A June 1, 2001  
Intracompany Transferee, Specialized Knowledge Professional L-1B June 1, 2001  
A petitioner meeting certain requirements which seeks continuous approval of itself and some or all of its parents, branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates LZ

(Blanket L-1)

June 1, 2001  
Alien of extraordinary ability or achievements in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics O-1 June 1, 2001  
Alien providing essential support services for a principal O-1 alien O-2 June 1, 2001  
Internationally recognized athlete or member of an internationally recognized entertainment group P-1 June 1, 2001  
Essential Support Alien, highly skilled, who performs support services essential to the successful performance of the principal P-1 alien P-1S June 1, 2001  
Artist or Entertainer under a Reciprocal Exchange Program P-2 June 1, 2001  
Essential Support Alien, highly skilled, who performs support services essential to the successful performance of the principal P-2 alien P-2S June 1, 2001  
Artist or Entertainer in a Culturally Unique Program P-3 June 1, 2001  
Essential Support Alien, highly skilled, who performs support services essential to the successful performance of the principal P-3 alien P-3S June 1, 2001  
International cultural exchange alien Q-1 June 1, 2001  
Alien in a Religious occupation R-1 July 30, 2001 and reinstated July 20, 2009***  
NAFTA professional, Canada TN-1 July 30, 2001  
NAFTA professional, Mexico TN-2 July 30, 2001  

 

Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Permanent Resident Worker
Designated Classification Within Form I-140 Corresponding Employment-Based (EB) Immigrant Visa Classification Availability Date* Termination Date**
Individuals of extraordinary ability EB-1-1 November 13, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 2009****  
Outstanding professors and researchers EB-1-2 September 25, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 2009****  
Multinational executives and managers EB-1-3 Not Yet Available  
Members of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability not seeking a National Interest Waiver EB-2 September 25, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 2009****  
Members of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability seeking a National Interest Waiver EB-2 – National Interest Waiver Not Yet Available  
Skilled workers*** EB-3 August 28, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 2009****  
Professionals*** EB-3 August 28, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 2009****  
Workers other than skilled workers and professionals EB-3 September 25, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 2009****  

 

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