Great news from USCIS! The agency announced last week that they are introducing Premium Processing service for all new and previously filed petitions filed under EB-2 National Interest Waiver category and EB-1C multinational executive or manager classification.

USCIS will begin accepting petitions in the above-mentioned categories for Premium Processing beginning January 30, 2023.

Premium Processing (PP) is an expedited adjudication of cases. The processing time for the above-mentioned EB-2 National Interest Waiver petitions and EB-1C multinational executive or manager classification with PP service is 45 days.

The government filing fee for Premium Processing for EB-2 NIW and EB-1C categories is $2,500, which is an additional filing fee to the mandatory $700 for Form I-140 Immigrant Petition filing.

Other USCIS plans on the expansion of premium processing services

In March 2023, USCIS plans to expand premium processing to certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking STEM OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

In April, USCIS plans to expand premium processing to F-1 students seeking OPT and F-1 students seeking STEM OPT extensions who are filing an initial Form I-765.

As USCIS implements premium processing for the above-mentioned categories, they are working toward expanding premium processing availability of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. The agency anticipates expanding premium processing for certain student and exchange visitors with pending Form I-539 applications in May and certain student and exchange visitors who are filing initial Form I-539 applications in June.

We will provide updates from USCIS as they become available.

If you need to consult us about your immigration case, feel free to contact our office.