I-140 premium processing returns June 29, 2009

[Ron Gotcher]

USCIS Update June 22, 2009

USCIS Announces Resumption of Premium Processing Service for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

WASHINGTON—USCIS announced today that effective June 29, 2009, it will resume Premium Processing Service for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, in accordance with 8 CFR 103.2(f)(2).

After an evaluation of its I-140 backlog reduction efforts and increased I-140 adjudicative efficiencies, USCIS has concluded that it is now able to provide Premium Process Service for this benefit. USCIS will accept Premium Processing requests for Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, involving EB-1 Aliens with Extraordinary Ability, EB-1 Outstanding Professors and Researchers, EB-2 Members of Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability not seeking a National Interest Waiver, EB-3 Professionals, EB-3 Skilled Workers, and EB-3 Workers other than Skilled Workers and Professionals.

Premium Processing Service is still not available for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, involving EB-1 Multinational Executives and Managers and EB-2 Members of Professions with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability seeking a National Interest Waiver.

Under the Premium Processing Service, USCIS guarantees petitioners that, for a $1,000 processing fee, it will issue either an approval notice, or where appropriate, a notice of intent to deny, a request for evidence or open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation, within 15 calendar days of receipt. If the petition is not processed within 15 calendar days, USCIS will refund the $1,000 fee and continue to process the request as part of the Premium Processing Service. In addition to faster processing, petitioners who participate in the program may use a dedicated phone number and e-mail address to check on the status of their petition or ask any other questions they may have concerning their petition. Premium Processing Service continues to be available for previously designated classifications within Form I-140 and Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker.

Information about the expanded Premium Processing Service, including what classifications are eligible to request such processing, is available on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov or by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center toll free at 1-800-375-5283.

[gcwait2007]

Excellent News :)

[Rada]

Yay!

[Ron Gotcher]

FYI, if someone has an I-140 pending now, and they wish to upgrade it to premium processing, all they have to do is submit an I-907 together with the filing fee ($1,000) and a copy of their receipt notice and the CIS will go on the clock as soon as they receive it.

[sylsho]

So who can apply for the premium processing? the company whofiled for the petition or the actual employee can also file for it?

[Ron Gotcher]

The petition "belongs" to the employer, but the employee is allowed to pay for the upgrade.

[Hopeful]

Ron,
It's been a while since I've posted, but I've followed your forums and gotten some great info from it over time. Thanks for your help to the many folks on this forum.
I have a question I hope you can help me with. I'll try to be brief:
I filed for EB2 NIW in the first week of March 2009. We found out the case had been assigned to an officer on June 16, 2009, but to date we have not gotten a decision or any other info on that case.
When premium processing started, we decided to file under EB1A as well. That application was filed online on July 1, 2009 and premium processing sent in on July 7th. The 15 day mark was yesterday, but come to find out that we can't even find any indication the case was upgraded to premium processing. The last thing it states is that correspondence was received on July 9th, and there still is no indication of premium processing on the case. An SR was opened on July 15th and they said we would hear in 5 days - that was Monday, still haven't heard anything. We've sent them the confirmation of the receipt of the upgrade and a copy of the check. What can I do now??? 15 days has past, no response on the SR, ... it's really frustrating. Any suggestions?

[Ron Gotcher]

If you have proof that your upgrade was delivered, then tell them that want a decision or a refund immediately. They hate giving back money.