USCIS Announces Resumption of Premium Processing for I-140 Petitions
On June 22, 2009, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that on June 29, 2009, it would resume accepting requests to Premium Process Form I-140 petitions involving EB-1 Aliens with Extraordinary Ability, EB-1 Outstanding Professors and Researchers, EB-2 Members of the Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability who are not seeking a National Interest Waiver, and EB-3 Professionals, Skilled Workers and Other Workers. Premium Processing still is not available for EB-1 Multinational Managers and EB-2 Members of the Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability who seek a National Interest Waiver. Under the rules applicable to premium processing, the USCIS requires an additional filing fee (presently $1,000) and agrees to adjudicate the petition or issue a Request for Additional Evidence within 15 calendar days. Participants in the premium processing service also have access to a dedicated phone line and email address to ascertain the status of the case or ask questions.
