5.     Premium Processing

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, through “Premium Processing,”  will adjudicate an H-1B petition within 10 business days, upon the payment of an additional filing fee of $1,000.00.

Premium Processing has proven to be a very useful tool for individuals seeking H-1B status for the first time. However, if the position requires licensure, as with doctors in residency training programs in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey, as well as other states, it is possible that the Premium Processing Unit  will require a copy of the license or permit prior to the filing or  approval of the H-1B petition, while the regular processing unit may overlook the requirement of the license.

At this time, regular processing of H-1B petitions are being adjudicated in approximately three to four months.  Accordingly, Premium Processing is the best method at this time for securing adjudications of H-1B petitions by the required start date.

Last update: November 24, 2005