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Expansion of Premium Processing: Still No Definitive Start Date

31. Mar. 2022

This week, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided an update for expanding Premium Processing (PP).  The update provided no definitive start date for when PP will become available to the expanded categories of cases, but here are the key points:

  • I-140 for EB-1 multinational executive/manager and EB-2 national interest waiver: PP availability will begin by September 30, 2022. The PP fee will be $2,500 and the processing time frame will be 45 days.
  • I-539 for F, M and J status: PP availability will begin by September 30, 2022. The PP fee will be $1,750 and the processing time frame will be 30 days.
  • I-765 (EAD) for F-1 and J-1: PP availability will begin by September 30, 2022. The PP fee will be $1,500 and the processing time frame will be 30 days.

Details regarding the effective dates for the above categories should be available soon at which time USCIS will update its How Do I Request Premium Processing? page to indicate when one can begin requesting premium processing for those categories.

In FY2025, PP will expand to I-539 for E-1, E-2, E-3, H-4, L-2, O-3, P-4 and R-2; and additional categories of I-765 (EAD).

Additionally, USCIS announced that it is addressing resource shortages caused by the pandemic and the Trump administration by hiring more officers to shorten adjudication time frames, which is a top priority.  It is also making progress toward a rule that will allow a temporary increase to the automatic extension period of EAD for certain EAD renewal applicants.

ILG will provide further updates as additional details regarding these USCIS efforts becomes available.