Premium Processing Service is an opportunity for the employer or the beneficiary to request faster processing of certain employment-based petitions and applications to meet the employer's need to hire foreign workers. The Premium Processing fee is $2,500, which is in addition to the regular filing fees that must be paid to the Service for the filing of certain petitions and applications.

The classifications eligible for Premium Processing requests are: E-1, E-2, H-1B, H-2B, L-1A, L-1B, Blanket L, O, P, Q, R, and TN.

Premium Processing guarantees 15-calendar day processing of certain employment-based petitions and applications. In other words, the Service will issue an approval notice, request for additional evidence, notice of investigation for fraud, or notice of intent to deny within 15 calendar days from the date the petition was received at the Service Center. If the Service does not issue a notice or request within 15 calendar days, your Premium Processing fee will be refunded automatically and the Service will continue processing the petition or application. The Premium Processing Service unit at every Service Center will have a unique address that will be used to file requests for Premium Processing to facilitate expeditious handling. In addition, each Service Center will have dedicated phone number(s), fax number(s), and an e-mail address in order to provide enhanced customer service contact.

Employers may file a request for Premium Processing at the time the petition is filed or any time after. The request for Premium Processing is made by filing a Form I-907 with the appropriate USCIS Service Center and by paying a fee of $2,500.

No, the fee for Premium Processing Service cannot be waived for any reason. The Service will continue its existing policy and procedures for expeditious processing of petitions and applications filed by petitioners designated as non-profit by the IRS.