Glossary
What is premium processing?
Premium processing is a paid USCIS service that gets a faster decision on certain petitions. It speeds up the decision, not the green card line.
Last checked October 2026 · Sources
- Form
- I-907
- Fee (I-140, O-1)
- $2,965
- EB-1A and O-1
- 15 business days
- EB-2 NIW
- 45 business days
Quick answer
What is premium processing?
Premium processing is an optional USCIS service you request on Form I-907. As of October 2026 it costs $2,965 for an I-140 or an O-1 petition. USCIS promises to act within 15 business days for EB-1A, EB-1B and O-1, or 45 business days for EB-2 NIW and EB-1C. If it misses, it refunds the fee.
- “Act” can mean an approval, a denial, an RFE, a NOID or a fraud investigation.
- An RFE or NOID stops the clock. A new clock starts when USCIS gets your reply.
- It does not move you up in the Visa Bulletin line.
- Form I-485 is not on the list of forms that can use it.
Key facts
Premium processing timeframes and fee
As of October 2026. The fee is paid on top of all other filing fees.
| Petition | Classification | Timeframe | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form I-140 | EB-1A (E11), EB-1B (E12), EB-2 not NIW (E21) | 15 business days | $2,965 |
| Form I-140 | EB-1C (E13), EB-2 NIW (E21) | 45 business days | $2,965 |
| Form I-129 | O-1 | 15 business days | $2,965 |
Sources: USCIS, How Do I Request Premium Processing? (updated 03/23/2026) and USCIS Fee Schedule, Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26. There is no fee waiver for Form I-907.
Why it matters for you
What premium processing does and does not do
-
It buys speed, not approval
USCIS guarantees action, which can be a request for evidence or a notice of intent to deny. Your evidence still decides the result.
-
The clock stops and resets
If USCIS asks for more evidence or sends a NOID, the clock stops. A new full timeframe starts when your response arrives.
-
It does not shorten the line
Your green card still waits for a visa number. That depends on your priority date and the Visa Bulletin.
-
You can add it later
You can file Form I-907 with your I-140, or later while the I-140 is pending.
Where it comes from
The legal source
USCIS sets the timeframes, the refund promise and the stop-and-reset rule on its page How Do I Request Premium Processing?. The fee is in the USCIS Fee Schedule, Form G-1055, edition 10/01/26. Typical waits without it are on our EB-1A, EB-2 NIW and O-1 processing-time pages.
FAQ
Questions people ask
As of October 2026 it is $2,965 for EB-1 and EB-2 classifications, including the NIW, under Form G-1055 edition 10/01/26. It is on top of the I-140 filing fee.
45 business days. EB-1A, EB-1B and O-1 petitions are 15 business days.
No. USCIS only guarantees to take action in time. The action can be an approval, a denial, an RFE or a NOID. USCIS can also open a fraud investigation.
The clock stops. When USCIS receives your response, a new full timeframe starts.
USCIS says it will refund the premium processing fee if it does not take action within the timeframe.
Is your record ready for a fast decision?
A fast RFE is still an RFE. The free evaluation checks your record for EB-1A, EB-2 NIW and O-1 before you pay for speed. A partner-firm attorney confirms eligibility before anything is filed. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sources · checked October 2026
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change; a partner-firm attorney confirms what applies to you before anything is filed.
