Waiting for immigration decisions feels slow for almost everyone. The regular review for an I 140 can easily take eight to sixteen months or longer. This delay affects travel, job plans, long term decisions and sometimes personal stability. With premium processing, you speed up a critical part of the process. It gives you a clearer idea of where you stand.
The promise is simple. USCIS agrees to act on your I 140 in fifteen business days. That action might be approval, denial, or a request for more evidence. Even though approval is not guaranteed, getting an answer quickly reduces stress and lets you plan the next step.
Both eb1a and eb1c applicants can request this service. The eb1a category helps people with extraordinary ability in sciences, business, education, athletics or the arts. The eb1c category helps multinational executives and managers. Both groups sometimes need faster decisions because of work deadlines, relocation or personal plans.
If you want help deciding whether premium processing is right for your case, the Beyond Border team can walk you through timelines and risks and help you understand how it affects your green card journey.
When you choose premium processing, you are not buying approval. You are buying faster movement. You file Form I 907 with your I 140 and pay the two thousand eight hundred and five dollar fee. USCIS moves your petition to the front of their review line.
This fast track applies only to the I 140 itself. It does not speed up your I 485 or your consular processing. It does not move the visa bulletin. It only affects the stage that decides whether your immigrant worker petition meets the category rules.
The premium processing time uscis system used to count calendar days. After April 2024, the time shifted to business days. So fifteen business days usually means around three full weeks in real life. This difference matters more than people expect.
For the clock to start, USCIS must receive your Form I 907 at the correct service center. Sending it to the wrong place delays the start of the countdown. Many people make this mistake, so double check the address each time.
The cost for premium processing is two thousand eight hundred and five dollars in 2025. This amount is separate from your I 140 fee. It is also separate from attorney costs. USCIS adjusts this fee every two years based on inflation, so the amount may rise again in the future.
You do not get your fee back if your petition is denied. You do not get it back if you receive an RFE. The only time you receive a refund is when USCIS fails to act within fifteen business days. They almost always meet the deadline, so refunds are rare.
If you want a full breakdown of fees for eb1a, eb1c, adjustment of status, consular processing or family member filings, Beyond Border can prepare a complete cost map so that you can plan your budget.
The eb1a premium processing time is built around the fifteen business day promise. Once USCIS receives your I 907 request at the correct location, they open your file and begin review.
You can self petition under eb1a, which makes the process more flexible. Many founders, researchers, designers, athletes and independent consultants use eb1a premium processing to move things forward quickly since they control their own petition.
Your petition will be reviewed at either the Nebraska or Texas service center depending on your location. Always check the official USCIS filing instructions because these locations sometimes change.
If the reviewing officer needs more information, they send a Request for Evidence. The moment they send this request, the premium processing time uscis clock stops. It restarts when you submit your full response. After that, a new fifteen business day period begins.
Sometimes people rush their RFE responses. This causes mistakes. Even though you used premium processing, take time to prepare a strong and complete response. A careful answer helps your case far more than a quick reply.
The eb1c category works differently from the eb1a category because the employer files the petition instead of the employee. This category helps multinational companies bring executives and managers to the United States for permanent roles.
For many years, eb1c petitions under premium review followed a forty five day timeline instead of the standard fifteen day window. That changed through policy expansions during 2023 and early 2024. Now, USCIS aims to complete eb1c premium reviews in the same period as eb1a reviews.
Your employer may pay the fee or you may pay it personally. USCIS prefers a personal reason if the employee pays the fee, such as travel or status concerns. If the company pays, it is usually tied to business needs or relocation plans.
Both eb1a and eb1c avoid labor certification, which saves at least six to twelve months. This advantage is one reason these categories remain popular among high skilled workers and multinational executives.
There are times when premium processing is extremely helpful.
It makes sense when your visa status is running low. For example, your H 1B might expire soon. You may want a quick I 140 decision to help with extensions.
It makes sense when your employer wants you to travel for work and they want clarity on your petition.
It makes sense when your family plans, housing decisions or relocation depend on predictable timing.
There are also times to skip premium processing.
If your priority date is far from current, the fast I 140 decision will not move the visa bulletin.
If your evidence is not ready yet, the faster review might increase the chance of an RFE.
If you want advice on whether to use premium processing, Beyond Border can review your documents and timeline and tell you what makes sense for your case.
Filing for premium processing is simple.
First, complete Form I 907.
Second, pay the two thousand eight hundred and five dollar fee.
Third, attach it to your I 140 or send it separately if your I 140 is already pending.
Fourth, confirm the correct filing location for your category and your state.
Fifth, wait for your receipt notice Form I 797C. The fifteen business day countdown begins on the date listed there.
If you pay by card, fill out the correct authorization form. USCIS no longer accepts all paper checks in some situations, so follow the instructions carefully.
Within the fifteen business day period, USCIS assigns your file to an officer. That officer reviews every document, evaluates your evidence, checks your legal category and decides whether more information is needed.
Three results are possible.
The best result is approval. You receive a Form I 797 approval notice.
Another result is an RFE. This means your evidence was not enough and USCIS wants more.
The final result is denial. This happens when the legal standard of eb1a or eb1c is not met.
The important point is that USCIS must take one of these actions. They cannot simply leave your file untouched during premium review.
Most problems come from simple filing errors.
Many people send Form I 907 to the wrong place. That mistake delays the start of the premium clock.
Some applicants combine their fees by accident. USCIS rejects combined payments, so you lose time.
Others believe premium review guarantees approval. It does not. It only guarantees action.
Applicants from India or China sometimes waste money on premium processing even though their priority date is not close. The fast decision does not help them move faster toward the green card due to the visa bulletin backlog.
Slow preparation, mixed documents and unclear evidence also lead to RFEs or denials. An experienced team like Beyond Border can check your file before you submit anything.
