Finnan, Fleischut & Associates

Today, November 8, 2006, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced yet another expansion of its Premium Processing service.  Starting Monday, November 13, USCIS will allow Premium Processing of Form I-140, the Immigrant Petition, in the additional category of employment-based first preference (EB-1) aliens of extraordinary ability. 

Premium Processing is the procedure by which for an additional fee ($1,000) USCIS will adjudicate certain types of petitions or applications within 15 calendar days.  Prior to this year, only certain categories of Form I-129 nonimmigrant worker petitions have been designated eligible for Premium Processing.   In May of this year, USCIS published its intention to offer the Premium Processing service in the future to other types of petitions and applications, such as I-140s, Forms I-539 or Employment Authorization Documents.  On August 28, 2006, USCIS expanded Premium Processing to include the I-140 petition for EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers.  On September 25, 2006, USCIS expanded Premium Processing to include the I-140 petition for three more groups: EB-1 Outstanding Professors and Researchers, EB-2 Members of the professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability not seeking a National Interest Waiver, and EB-3 Other Workers.