June 23, 2009

Resumption of Premium Processing Service for Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that effective June 29, 2009, it will resume Premium Processing Service for Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140). USCIS will accept Premium Processing requests for Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, involving Aliens with Extraordinary Ability (EB-1), Outstanding Professors and Researchers (EB-1), Members of Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability not seeking a National Interest Waiver (EB-2), Professionals (EB-3), Skilled Workers (EB-3), and Workers other than Skilled Workers and Professionals (EB-3). Premium Processing Service will still not be available for Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, involving Multinational Executives and Managers (EB-1) and Members of Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability seeking a National Interest Waiver (EB-2).

Under the Premium Processing Service, USCIS guarantees petitioners that for a $1,000 processing fee, it will issue either an approval notice, a notice of intent to deny, a request for evidence or open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation, within 15 calendar days of receipt. If the petition is not processed with the issuance of one of the notices listed within 15 calendar days, USCIS will refund the $1,000 fee and continue to process the request as part of the Premium Processing Service.