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USCIS expands premium processing service as of september 25, 2006 Effective June 1, 2001, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) established a Premium Processing Service for certain employment-based petitions and applications. This service provides for preferential and expedited processing of your visa petition for a special fee. If the petitioner/applicant pays the required fee of $1,000 (in addition to all applicable filing fees) for Premium Processing Service, the USCIS will issue an approval notice, notice of intent to deny, request for evidence, or a notice if an investigation for fraud on the relating petition or application is deemed necessary, within 15 calendar days of the date of receipt. If the USCIS is unable to process the petition or application within 15 calendar days, the fee paid for premium processing will be fully refunded. Classifications eligible for the Premium Processing program include, but are not limited to, E-1 Treaty Traders; E-2 Treaty Investors; L-1 Intracompany Transferees; O-1 Aliens of Extraordinary Ability or Achievement; H-1B Temporary Workers with Specialty Occupation; R-2 Temporary Workers in Religious Occupations; TN NAFTA Professions; and, as of August 28, 2006, Employment-Based Third Category Preference (EB-3) for Skilled Workers and Professionals; and, as of September 25, 2006, Employment-Based First Category (EB-1) for Outstanding Researchers or Professors; Employment-Based Second (EB-2) Category for Members of Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability not seeking a National Interest Waiver, and Employment-Based Third Category (EB-3) for Workers Other than Skilled Workers and Professionals. For more information, please contact our office. POSTED: SEPTEMBER 25, 2006

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