The USCIS will increase the premium processing fee for some employment-based visas in the US. The hike has been introduced, keeping in mind rising expenses and increasing inflation.
With immediate effect, the premium processing fee has been hiked by $30. The fee increases from the current $1,410 to $1,440.
The increased processing fee of $1,440 is applicable to the following:
- Form I-129
- Petition for a non-immigrant worker & Form I-140
- Immigrant petition for alien worker
If you want to expedite your employment-based visa application, you can apply for premium processing. Premium processing reduces your processing time to 15 working days. The premium processing fee is paid in addition to the base filing fee and other fees.
The premium processing fee was last increased by the USCIS in 2018.
The premium processing fee can be filed simultaneously with the non-immigrant petitioner after the employment-based visa petition has been filed. This is typically filed by the attorney or by the petitioning employer on record on the visa application.
Under premium processing, the USCIS refunds your money if it is unable to process your visa application within 15 business days.
Here are the documents that you need to submit for premium processing:
- Copies of any previous Form I-94 even if they may be available online
- Copy of your currently approved I-797
- Copy of your H1B approval or L approval
- Copy of I-140 and I-129 petition receipts in case they have been previously filed
- Copy of the letter of labour certification approval. The labour certification approval letter is issued by the Dept. of Labour when you file for the EB2 or EB3 categories.
The USCIS has announced that beginning this year, premium processing will happen in two phases.
The first phase will involve data entry of all the submissions. Applicants requesting a change in visa status will get to go first.
After this is over, the USCIS will open premium processing to all others in the second phase.
H4 EAD petitioners do not have access to premium processing.
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If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to the USA, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.
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