Premium Processing is a service offered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that enables certain visa petitions to be reviewed faster. Instead of waiting several months, USCIS will respond within 15 calendar days. This can be helpful for employers and applicants who need a quicker decision, especially when applying for an L1 visa.
What is an L1 visa?
The L1 visa allows international companies to transfer employees from an office abroad to a related office in the United States. There are two categories of L1 visas:
- L1A is for executives and managers
- L1B is for employees with specialized knowledge
To qualify, the employee must have worked for the company outside the U.S. for at least one continuous year within the last three years.
Yes, Premium Processing is available for most individual L1A and L1B petitions filed with USCIS. However, L1 blanket petitions, which are used by larger companies for multiple employees, are generally processed through U.S. consulates and are not eligible for this service through USCIS.
What is the cost?
As of July 2025, the fee for Premium Processing is $2,805. This fee is paid using Form I-907. It can be submitted with the original petition or added later.
Employers often choose Premium Processing when timing is important. It helps ensure faster planning for employee transfers. This service does not increase the chances of approval, but it does provide a guaranteed timeline for a decision.