Visa & Green Card
I-140 Premium Processing
The fee, the 15 business-day timeline, which categories qualify, and when it is worth paying for.
- Form I-907
- ~15 business days
- Fee & eligibility
Educational estimate only. Not legal, tax, immigration, or financial advice. Full disclaimer below.
I-140 premium processing at a glance
Filing fee
$715
Employers also pay the $600 Asylum Program Fee ($300 small employer, $0 nonprofit).
Premium processing
15 business days
Fee $2,965. NIW / EB-1C: 45 business days.
Regular processing
~4–8 months
Varies by service center.
After approval (India EB)
Years — Visa Bulletin
Approval sets your priority date; the green-card wait is the Visa Bulletin backlog.
Planning figures only — I-140 times vary by service center and premium fees change (premium rose to $2,965 on Mar 1, 2026). For India EB-2/EB-3 the dominant wait is the Visa Bulletin, not I-140 itself. Not legal advice; verify with USCIS.
I-140 premium fee
$2,965
Form I-907 · verify on USCIS before filing
Timeline
~15 business days
~45 business days for EB-1C and EB-2 NIW
What premium processing does (and doesn’t) do
Premium processing guarantees USCIS will act on your I-140 within the timeline — approve, deny, or issue an RFE. It does not improve approval odds, and it does not move your priority date or the Visa Bulletin. For India EB-2/EB-3 applicants, a fast I-140 approval still leads to a multi-year wait for a current priority date before I-485.
When it is worth paying for
- → Your H-1B six-year max-out is approaching and an approved I-140 unlocks 3-year extensions.
- → Your priority date is about to become current and you need the approval to file I-485.
- → You are changing employers and want the approval (and priority date protection) locked in.
- → You want certainty of timing rather than an open-ended standard queue.
Related I-140 & green card tools
I-140 Processing Time
Standard vs premium decision estimate
I-140 Approved — What Next
Priority date, I-485 & H-1B extensions
PERM Processing Time Calculator
The step before I-140
PERM Timeline
Full green card process after H-1B
EB2/EB3 India Priority Date
When you can file I-485
EAD Processing Time
Work permit timeline & auto-extension
H-1B Max-Out Calculator
How an approved I-140 extends H-1B
Priority Date Checker
Compare your date to the bulletin
Green Card Wait Tracker
How many are ahead of you in line
Frequently asked questions
What is I-140 premium processing?
It is a paid USCIS service (Form I-907) that guarantees USCIS will act on your I-140 within a set number of business days — approve, deny, or issue an RFE. It speeds up USCIS action only, not the Visa Bulletin or green card availability.
How long does I-140 premium processing take?
USCIS acts within about 15 business days for most I-140 petitions, and about 45 business days for EB-1C and EB-2 NIW. If an RFE is issued, the clock pauses until you respond.
How much is the I-140 premium processing fee?
The current fee is shown on this page from our maintained data. Fees change, so always confirm the exact amount on the official USCIS Form I-907 page before filing.
Which I-140 categories are eligible for premium processing?
Most EB-1A, EB-1C, EB-2, EB-2 NIW, and EB-3 I-140 petitions are eligible. Timelines differ (EB-1C and NIW are ~45 business days). Confirm current eligibility on the USCIS I-907 page.
Is premium processing worth it?
It is most worth it when timing matters — an approaching H-1B six-year max-out, a priority date about to become current, or a job change where you need the approval fast. If none of those apply, standard processing saves the fee.
Does premium processing help my priority date?
No. Premium processing only speeds the I-140 decision. Your priority date and the Visa Bulletin wait are unaffected — for India EB-2/EB-3 you still wait years after approval to file I-485.
Can I add premium processing to a pending I-140?
Yes, in most cases you can upgrade a pending I-140 to premium processing by filing Form I-907. Confirm eligibility and current timelines with your attorney.
Is this page legal advice?
No. This page is educational only and not legal advice. Verify fees and timelines on official USCIS pages and confirm your case with your employer's immigration attorney.
Written / reviewed by Deepak Middha · CA, Series 65
Last updated: July 3, 2026
Disclaimer, assumptions & sources
This tool is for general education and planning only. It does not replace advice from a CPA, attorney, financial advisor, USCIS, IRS, State Department, or other official source. Rules, limits, forms, fees, dates, and government processing information may change. Always verify before filing, investing, or making immigration, tax, or financial decisions.
- For educational use only — not legal advice.
- Not tax advice.
- Not financial advice.
- Not immigration advice.
- Numbers, forms, fees, dates, rules, and limits may change at any time.
- Always verify with official sources before acting.
- Consult a CPA, attorney, financial advisor, or the relevant official agency (USCIS, IRS, State Department) when it matters to your situation.
See our full site disclaimer for complete terms.