News - July 2009


Premium Processing Service Resumes for Some I-140 Petitions

USCIS has announced that effective June 29, 2009 it has expanded its Premium Processing Service to cover certain I-140 Immigrant Petitions for Alien Workers.

Premium Processing has long been available for petitions for a number of nonimmigrant classifications, including H-1B, L-1, and O-1. In June 2008 USCIS expanded the service to encompass immigrant petitions for employment-based visa categories for workers who need an approved I-140 petition in order to qualify for extension of H-1B status beyond the initial six years of authorization. While all I-140 petitions were eligible for Premium Processing in the past, before they were removed from the eligible list in 2007, the new policy again makes certain classifications eligible for premium processing service.

The new announcement makes premium processing available for the following: (1) Petitions for EB-1 Aliens with Extraordinary Ability, (2) Petitions for EB-1 Outstanding Professors and Researchers, (3) Petitions for EB-2 Members of Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability not seeking a National Interest Waiver, (4) Petitions for EB-3 Professionals, (5) Petitions for EB-3 Skilled Workers, and (6) Petitions for EB-3 Workers other than Skilled Workers and Professionals. With its Premium Processing Service, USCIS warrantees that designated petitions and applications will be processed within 15 calendar days for a fee of $1,000.

All Premium requests must use the I-907 Request for Premium Processing Service form and must include documentation of eligibility. Premium Processing Service is still not available for Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker involving EB-1 Multinational Executives and Managers and EB-2 Members of Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability seeking a National Interest Waiver.

 

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