Premium Processing Isn't Just for New Filings

Emily Singer Hurvitz

Aug 7

2 min read

Premium processing fees are increasing March 1st, but most employers are focused on the wrong thing. The fee jump isn't what matters.

What matters is this: you can upgrade a pending case to premium processing at any time — even if you didn't file with it initially.

If your case has been sitting with USCIS for months and you need a faster decision, you can submit Form I-907 at any point.

This gets you a 15-business day processing time from the date USCIS accepts your upgrade request.

Important: premium processing guarantees a decision, not an approval. You could get an approval, or you could get a Request for Evidence (RFE) if the government needs more information.

But at least you know you'll get some answer within 15 business days instead of waiting months in limbo.

I use this strategy frequently for clients facing urgent deadlines or business needs that have changed since the original filing.

USCIS announced fee increases across all premium processing categories effective March 1, 2026.

The increases range from $95 to $180 depending on petition type—reflecting inflation from June 2023 through June 2025.

With the fee increase taking effect March 1st, any Premium Processing request or PP upgrade request postmarked on or after that date will require the new fee amount.

So if you've been considering upgrading a pending case, submitting before March 1st saves you the increase.

For businesses with urgent hiring needs or foreign nationals facing case deadlines, Premium Processing remains one of the few tools available to get predictable processing times from USCIS.

The revenue from these fees supposedly funds improvements to adjudication processes and helps address processing backlogs.

I've seen some cases move surprisingly quickly recently, while others drag on for months.

It really depends on the specific case type and which service center or local field office is handling it. Standard processing times remain unpredictable, which is exactly why premium processing continues to be worth the cost when you need certainty.