The USCIS fee for “Premium Processing” (Form I-907) will be increasing by $30 to a new total of $1,440, effective December 2, 2019. On October 16, 2020, the U.S. Premium processing is an optional service currently authorized for certain petitioners filing Forms I-129 or I-140. USCIS will reject the I-907 and return the $1,440 filing fee for all petitions requesting premium processing that were mailed before March 20 but not yet accepted. You will not continue to receive KPMG subscriptions until you accept the changes. Applications postmarked on or after December 2, 2019, must include the new fee. Current Changes. Please take a moment to review these changes. KPMG International provides no client services. While, USCIS cannot go forward with this fee increase, they are now required, under the new Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (H.R. Exceptions will be the R categories and the H-2B categories. The recently announced increase in the premium processing filing fee could hinder employers, especially small- and mid-size firms, from seeking expedited adjudication for their visa filings particularly at a time when most employers are seeking to cut costs. Premium processing is available for the Form I-140 classifications indicated on the chart above as long as the case does not involve: Another Form I-140 petition while an initial Form I-140 remains pending; KPMG Law LLP in Canada will be carefully monitoring any guidance provided by USCIS regarding the proposed changes to USCIS’ premium processing service. KPMG International is a Swiss cooperative that serves as a coordinating entity for a network of independent member firms. It is applicable to all three categories EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories. By Anil Gupta Updated 29 Sep, 20. In accordance with the accordance with the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, Pub. Premium Processing: The final rule will not increase the filing fee for premium processing service, however, it will lengthen the timeframe for USCIS adjudicative action (approval, denial, or Request for Evidence) from 15 calendar days to 15 business days, which effectively lengthens the process from 2 weeks to 3 weeks. Premium Processing submissions ( Form I-907) postmarked on or after October 19, 2020, must include the new fee amount. The current cost of premium processing depends on each category. Effective October 19, 2020 the premium processing fee is $2,500 for Form I-140 and most Form I-129 premium processing requests, as authorized by the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act signed into law on October 1, 2020. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. Premium Processing is often used to ensure more reasonable adjudication timelines in a number of visa categories including H-1B, L-1 and O-1 temporary visa categories, as well as some employment based green card sponsorships. USCIS last increased the fee in 2018. Under this expedited service, the USCIS must either approve, deny, or issue a request for evidence (RFE) on the application within the 15-day window of receiving the premium processing request. L. No. The new law requires USCIS to establish and collect additional premium processing fees, and to use those additional funds for expanded purposes. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Official Website of the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS Response to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker. All rights reserved. On the other hand, the premium processing fee for filing Form I-129 to request H-2B or R-1 status will increase by 4% from $1,400.00 to $1,500.00. Premium processing expedites H-2B, R-1, other service requests generally within 15 days. The following is a list of key changes included in the stopgap measure: USCIS will increase the premium processing fee for all benefit requests that are already eligible for premium processing from $1,440 to $2,500 (with the exception of H-2B and R-1 petitions). We will endeavor to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert posted on any important developments as and when they occur. US – USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fee. You will not receive KPMG subscription messages until you agree to the new policy. They are not and nothing contained herein shall be construed to place these entities in the relationship of parents, subsidiaries, agents, partners, or joint venturers. Such services are provided solely by member firms in their respective geographic areas. New Premium Processing Fee. Site visit fees added. USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increase October 19, 2020 Comment: 0. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced beginning on Dec. 2, it is adjusting the fee to request premium processing for certain employment-based petitions. WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. To subscribe to GMS Flash Alert, fill out the subscription form. USCIS increased the fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, from $1,440 to $2,500, for all filings except those from petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, requesting H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status. The increase in the premium processing fee will impact all eligible filings except those from employers requesting H-2B (Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker) or R-1 (Religious Worker) nonimmigrant status.