As of March 23, 2014, there is NO NIW premium processing. This is good news for those of you who are looking to save some money as the filing fee to apply for premium processing is currently $1,225,00.
What is premium processing?
Premium Processing is a USCIS service that allows expedited review of an employment-based application. USCIS guarantees that the documents will be reviewed within 15 calendar days or USCIS will refund the service fee. If the fee is refunded, the case will continue to receive expedited processing.
How is the time calculated?
The 15 calendar day clock starts when USCIS receives the Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing. USCIS will issue an approval notice, a denial notice, a notice of intent to deny, a request for evidence or open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation within the 15 calendar day period. If USCIS requires the submission of additional evidence or a response to a notice of intent to deny, a new 15 calendar day period starts when USCIS receives a complete response to the request for evidence or notice of intent to deny.
What forms are eligible for premium processing?
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Treaty Trader |
E-1 |
June 1, 2001 |
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Treaty Investor |
E-2 |
June 1, 2001 |
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Alien in Specialty Occupation |
H-1B3 |
July 30, 2001 |
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Temporary Worker performing nonagricultural services |
H-2B4 |
June 1, 2001 Resumed May 1, 2013 |
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Trainee or Special Education Exchange Visitor |
H-3 |
June 1, 2001 |
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Intracompany Transferee, Executive or Manager Capacity |
L-1A |
June 1, 2001 |
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Intracompany Transferee, Specialized Knowledge Professional |
L-1B |
June 1, 2001 |
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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 |
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Alien of extraordinary ability or achievements in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics |
O-1 |
June 1, 2001 |
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Alien providing essential support services for a principal O-1 alien |
O-2 |
June 1, 2001 |
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Internationally recognized athlete or member of an internationally recognized entertainment group |
P-1 |
June 1, 2001 |
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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 |
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Artist or Entertainer under a Reciprocal Exchange Program |
P-2 |
June 1, 2001 |
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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 |
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Artist or Entertainer in a Culturally Unique Program |
P-3 |
June 1, 2001 |
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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 |
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International cultural exchange alien |
Q-1 |
June 1, 2001 |
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Alien in a Religious occupation |
R-1 |
July 30, 2001 and reinstated July 20, 20095 |
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NAFTA professional, Canada |
TN-1 |
July 30, 2001 |
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NAFTA professional, Mexico |
TN-2 |
July 30, 2001 |
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
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Aliens of extraordinary ability |
EB-1 |
November 13, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 20093 |
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Outstanding professors and researchers |
EB-1 |
September 25, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 20093 |
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Multinational executives and managers |
EB-1 |
Not Yet Available |
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Members of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability not seeking a National Interest Waiver |
EB-2 |
September 25, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 20093 |
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Members of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability seeking a National Interest Waiver |
EB-2 |
Not Yet Available |
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Skilled workers4 |
EB-3 |
August 28, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 20093 |
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Professionals4 |
EB-3 |
August 28, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 20093 |
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Workers other than skilled workers and professionals |
EB-3 |
September 25, 2006 and reinstated June 29, 20093 |
As you have already learned, there is no NIW premium processing.
USCIS Links:
http://www.uscis.gov/forms/how-do-i-use-premium-processing-service