Can I Pay Extra to Make My Case Go Faster?

USCIS recently announced that it is expanding its premium processing program, a service that allows certain applicants to pay an extra fee for faster processing times. This is great news—but only for people with certain types of cases.

Who is eligible for premium processing?

Right now, premium processing is only available for certain employment-based visa petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers.

When the expansion goes into effect, premium processing with be available for more employment-based visa categories, as well as people filing applications for work authorization (Form I-765), and people who already have visas but need to extend or change their statuses (Form I-539).

Who is not eligible for premium processing?

Most people are not eligible for premium processing, even with the expansion. If you are applying for immigration status based on marriage or family relationship, a U Visa, or DACA, you are not eligible for the service. The good news is that USCIS is making efforts to reduce its processing backlogs, and we hope to see faster processing times for many types of cases in the coming months.

I’m filing an application for a work permit. Can I pay for premium processing?

Not yet—the new rule does not take effect until later this year, and only as government resources allow. We will let our clients know as premium processing is available to them.

If other people can pay for premium processing, will that make my case take even longer?

No. USCIS is bound by a congressional requirement that premium processing cannot cause regular processing times to increase.

Immigration lawyer Inna Scott and her team at Global Law Advocates specialize in helping immigrants of all kinds gain legal status and other immigration benefits in the United States. To consult with an experienced attorney about your immigration options, call us at 206-774-8758 or send us an email at info@globallawadvocates.com.