Premium Processing for EB-1A & NIW
Complete guide to expedited processing - costs, benefits, timelines, and strategic considerations.
15 Calendar Days
Guaranteed processing timeline from USCIS
$2,805
Current fee (as of 2025) in addition to regular filing fee
Email First
Electronic notifications before paper notices
What is Premium Processing Service?
Premium Processing Service (PPS) Overview
Premium Processing Service is an optional USCIS service that guarantees a decision on certain employment-based petitions within 15 calendar days of receipt. For EB-1A and NIW cases, this can dramatically reduce waiting time from 8-15 months to just 2 weeks.
USCIS Guarantee
If USCIS doesn't make a decision within 15 calendar days, they will refund the premium processing fee and continue to process the case expeditiously.
Benefits of Premium Processing
Faster Decision
15 calendar days vs. 8-15 months regular processing
Email Notifications
Receive decision via email before paper notice
Certainty
No more wondering about processing delays
Career Planning
Make job decisions with confidence
Family Planning
Proceed with family immigration quickly
Potential Drawbacks
High Cost
$2,805 additional fee (non-refundable except in rare cases)
No Quality Guarantee
Fast decision doesn't mean favorable decision
Less Time for Corrections
Limited opportunity to address case weaknesses
RFE Risk
Officers may issue RFEs rather than denials under time pressure
Not Always Available
USCIS may suspend premium processing periodically
When Should You Consider Premium Processing?
Strong Cases with Urgency
Job Opportunities
Competing job offers requiring quick decision
H-1B Expiration
Current status expiring soon, need I-140 approval
Family Considerations
Children aging out, spouse work authorization needs
Strong Evidence Package
Comprehensive, well-documented case with clear merit
Strategic Advantages
Priority Date Benefit
Lock in early priority date before potential retrogression
Business Planning
Startup funding, business expansion requires certainty
Multiple Applications
Filing both EB-1A and NIW, test strongest case first
Peace of Mind
High stress tolerance for waiting, can afford the fee
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Financial Considerations
Consider the Value of Time:
- • Career opportunity cost of waiting 8-15 months
- • Potential salary increases from job mobility
- • Stress reduction and peace of mind
- • Family planning and life decisions
Timeline Comparison
With Premium Processing
Regular Processing
Potential time savings: 8-15 months to permanent residence
How to Request Premium Processing
Filing with Initial Petition
Most common and straightforward method
- Include Form I-907 with your I-140 petition
- Pay the $2,805 premium processing fee
- Mail to the designated premium processing address
- Receive receipt notice within a few days
- Get decision within 15 calendar days of USCIS receipt
Recommended Approach
Filing with the initial petition ensures the fastest processing and avoids potential delays from upgrade requests.
Upgrading Existing Case
Add premium processing to pending petition
- File Form I-907 separately with upgrade request
- Include copy of original receipt notice
- Pay the premium processing fee
- Mail to premium processing address
- 15-day clock starts when USCIS receives upgrade
Important Notes
- • Processing may take additional days to process upgrade
- • Not all pending cases are eligible for upgrade
- • USCIS may reject upgrade requests in certain circumstances
Need Help with Premium Processing Strategy?
Our experts can help you determine if premium processing is right for your case and ensure your petition is properly prepared for expedited review.