EB-1A premium processing guarantees a USCIS decision on your Form I-140 within 15 business days for an additional fee of $2,805. This is one of the fastest paths to a green card decision available in the U.S. immigration system — and for EB-1A applicants who have invested months preparing their petition, the speed and certainty are often well worth the cost.
Without premium processing, EB-1A I-140 petitions currently take 6-12 months for a decision. Premium processing compresses this to approximately 3 calendar weeks, giving you a definitive answer — approval, denial, or Request for Evidence (RFE) — in a fraction of the time.
How EB-1A Premium Processing Works
Premium processing is an optional service offered by USCIS through Form I-907 (Request for Premium Processing Service). When you file I-907 alongside your I-140, USCIS commits to taking action on your petition within 15 business days of receiving your request.
“Taking action” means USCIS will either:
- Approve your petition
- Deny your petition
- Issue a Request for Evidence (RFE)
- Issue a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
If USCIS issues an RFE or NOID, the 15-day clock resets once you submit your response. This means your total processing time could extend if additional evidence is requested.
EB-1A Premium Processing Costs
| Fee | Amount (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| I-140 filing fee | $700 | Required for all I-140 petitions |
| Premium processing (I-907) | $2,805 | Optional — guarantees 15 business day action |
| Total with premium | $3,505 | Government fees only (excludes attorney fees) |
The premium processing fee is in addition to your standard I-140 filing fee. If USCIS fails to meet the 15 business day deadline, they will refund your premium processing fee and continue processing your petition on a premium basis.
When to Use Premium Processing
Premium processing makes sense when:
- Your current visa status is expiring and you need to establish an approved I-140 quickly
- You want to file I-485 concurrently and need I-140 approval for EAD/AP benefits
- You’re planning a career move and need certainty about your green card timeline
- You want to know quickly whether additional evidence is needed
- Your employer’s plans depend on your immigration status
- You’ve already prepared a strong petition and want a fast answer
Consider waiting if:
- Your petition has weaknesses you’re aware of — a slower timeline gives USCIS less urgency to scrutinize
- You’re still gathering evidence and aren’t confident in your filing
- You don’t have an immediate need for speed and prefer to save $2,805
- You plan to upgrade to premium later if regular processing takes too long
Filing Premium Processing: Step by Step
- Prepare Form I-907 — Complete the Request for Premium Processing Service form
- Include the fee — $2,805 check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”
- File with I-140 — Submit I-907 together with your I-140 petition package, OR
- Upgrade later — You can request premium processing after your I-140 is already pending (this is called a “premium processing upgrade”)
Important: File I-907 at the same USCIS service center processing your I-140. Currently, EB-1A petitions are processed at the Texas Service Center or Nebraska Service Center.
Premium Processing Timeline Breakdown
| Stage | With Premium | Without Premium |
|---|---|---|
| I-140 decision | 15 business days | 6-12 months |
| RFE response period | Up to 84 days | Up to 84 days |
| Post-RFE decision | 15 business days after response | 3-6 additional months |
| I-485 processing | 8-14 months (no premium available) | 8-14 months |
| Total to green card | ~10-16 months | ~18-28 months |
Does Premium Processing Affect Approval Rates?
There is no official evidence that premium processing increases or decreases your approval chances. USCIS applies the same adjudication standards regardless of processing speed. However, some practitioners note that premium processing RFE rates may differ slightly from regular processing — likely because officers have a fixed timeframe and may issue RFEs when they need additional time to evaluate complex cases.
The most important factor in your approval is the quality of your petition and evidence — not the processing speed you select. For tips on building the strongest possible case, see our EB-1A Evidence Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade to premium processing after filing?
Yes. You can submit Form I-907 at any time while your I-140 is pending to upgrade to premium processing. This is called a “premium processing upgrade” and the 15 business day clock starts from when USCIS receives your I-907 and fee. Many applicants file without premium initially and upgrade if processing takes longer than expected.
What happens if USCIS doesn’t respond within 15 days?
If USCIS fails to take action within 15 business days, they will refund your $2,805 premium processing fee. Your case continues to be processed on an expedited basis. You can contact the USCIS Premium Processing Unit to inquire about your case status if the deadline passes.
Is premium processing available for I-485 (adjustment of status)?
As of 2026, premium processing is not available for Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status). It only applies to Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition). After your I-140 is approved, the I-485 stage proceeds at regular processing times regardless of how your I-140 was processed.
Get Your EB-1A Green Card Faster
Premium processing is just one tool to expedite your immigration journey. The most important factor is filing a strong, well-documented petition from the start — avoiding RFEs and denials saves far more time than premium processing alone.
Take our free eligibility assessment to start building your EB-1A case today, or learn more about our EB-1A services.
