EB-1A Premium Processing Time 2025: Is it Worth It?

2. EB-1A Premium Processing

Premium processing is a service provided by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) that guarantees a response within 15 calendar days for certain employment-based applications.

For EB-1A applicants, premium processing applies only to Form I-140, not to the entire green card process.

What is the 15-Day Clock?

Within 15 calendar days after you submit the I-140, USCIS will make one of the following decisions on your EB-1A case:

• Approve your application
• Send you a request for additional evidence (RFE)
• Send you a notice of intent to deny your EB-1A application (NOID)
• Deny your application

As a result, the term “EB-1A 15-Day Processing” is frequently used in discussions about EB-1A premium processing.

3. What to Expect in 2025 with EB-1A Premium Processing Times

15-Day Guaranteed Processing Time

Applicants filing EB-1A in 2025 will be able to rely on a guaranteed 15-day processing time. Even though the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may have a backlog of cases, the premium processing queue continues to have consistent movement and predictability.

The EB-1A Premium Processing Fee will Increase by the End of 2023

For 2024 and 2025, the premium processing fee will be $2,805, an increase of $100 from 2023.

Increased Demand

With entrepreneurs and researchers increasingly opting to file using premium processing, the service centers providing this service will have a better idea of what to expect from their clients. However, because of the increased volume of applications, they will also see more attention on their cases.

4.Should You Use Premium Processing for Your EB-1A Application in 2025?

The answer to this question depends on your level of urgency relative to your goals in relation to immigration and your current situation. For instance,

You May Want to Use Premium Processing if:

• You have a career or funding-related deadline that requires you to receive I-140 approval quickly.
• You are ready to file I-485 and want to do this sooner rather than later (especially if your priority date is now current).
• You are currently on a non-immigrant visa that will expire soon (e.g., O-1, H-1B).
• You want to have greater control over your timeframe and have peace of mind concerning the timing of your application.
• You want to be able to secure immigration status for your dependents as quickly as you possibly can.

You May Not Want to Use Premium Processing if:

• Your case is marginal or lacks sufficient documentation.
• You still have sufficient time left on your non-immigrant visa.
• You prefer to incur fewer costs now.
• You are submitting your I-140 application with a priority date that still has not been reached (which means the speed of your I-140 does not matter at this time).

5. Increased RFE Risk with Premium Processing?

Is Premium Processing Risky with EB-1A RFEs?

Data on This Topic

There is no correlation between premium processing and increased RFEs.

USCIS uses the same criteria to assess applications, regardless of whether they are filed under premium processing or standard processing.

• A weaker application is placed at risk because of the short period for review, as it does not allow sufficient time for the evaluation of the totality of the evidence (i.e., time for nuance).
• Reasons Individuals Think Premium Processing May Increase RFEs
• The 15-day turnaround time provides a sense of urgency to applicants.
• An applicant may lack sufficient evidence and believe that their quick response leads to an RFE.

An individual who files an EB-1A using Premium Processing often files in a hurry and may not have had the opportunity to prepare thoroughly.

6. The Pros and Cons of EB-1A Premium Processing in 2025

Advantages

1. Guaranteed Speed and Certainty

Guaranteed speed is a major benefit of EB-1A Premium Processing, especially for applicants who are trying to align their immigration timeline with their business, research, or career timelines.

2. Quicker I-485 Submission

If you are eligible to submit your I-485 because your priority date is current, you can file an I-485 faster after your I-140 is approved.

This means you can receive your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Advance Parole (AP) card sooner and your Green Card sooner.

3. Quickly Establish a Back-Up Plan

If your EB-1A application is denied, you can create an O-1 visa or an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (EB-2 NIW) application quickly, or gather additional evidence to resubmit your application.

4. Psychological Relief

Many of my clients have said that the psychological relief they find from knowing that they can provide their information to the government quickly and receive their Green Card sooner than anticipated is worth the cost.

Disadvantages

1. Costly

$2,805 is a large fee for many self-applicants and entrepreneurs.

2. Speed Does Not Apply to the Entire Process

The speed guarantee is only for the I-140 process. The I-485, NVC or consular interview processes do not have a similar time guarantee.

3. Risk of Additional Scrutiny

For cases where the application is borderline or questionable, the faster review may feel more intense than normal, though the legal standards for review are the same.

7. EB-1A Premium Processing: Scenarios Where It’s Absolutely Worth It

Priority Date Is Not Current

Applying for the I-485 immediately can potentially shorten the processing time by 6 to 12 months.

Your Visa Status Will Expire Soon

Using premium processing will give you the stability of having a way to stay in the country while you wait for an approved permanent residency application.

You Have A Job Offer or Grant Awaiting Approval

When you are waiting for an approved job offer or grant, employers and funding organizations will typically want to know your immigration status.

You Require A Work Authorization (EAD) Or An Advance Parole (AP) As Soon As Possible

The sooner you file an I-485, the sooner you will obtain an EAD or an AP.

You Are Changing Careers, Starting Your Own Business or Assuming A Leadership Position

Many entrepreneurs and researchers prefer to use premium processing for strategic reasons concerning timing.

8. Will Premium Processing Expedite Green Card Approval?

Yes. Indirectly. Premium processing gives an applicant an opportunity to file an I-485 as soon as their priority date is current; thus, allowing for a speedy processing of their biometrics, EADs, travel documents, and provides proof of residency to the government of where you had an established permanent address.

Please note that while premium processing expedites the I-485 filing, it does not expedite the actual adjudication of the I-485.

9. Best Practices For EB-1A Premium Processing In 2025

1) Strengthen Your Application

Before you upgrade to premium processing, make sure all of the supporting documentation for your EB-1A profile is solid:

• Letters from experts
• Publication and citation references
• Awards
• News coverage
• Experience judging
• Evidence of high salary
• Metrics showing your impact

2) Seek an Attorney's Review

Most premium applicants who file a premium I-485 application work with EB-1A professionals to reduce the risk of receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE).

3) Obtain An Evaluation Prior To RFE

If your case could potentially be a borderline case, seek an evaluation from an expert regarding the viability of your claim prior to filing a premium application.

4) Consider a Regular I-485 Filing First

This strategy gives your attorney time to supplement evidence.

10. FAQs

1. How long does EB-1A premium processing take in 2025?

USCIS must provide decisions for I-140 petitions within 15 calendar days. If an RFE is needed, another 15-calendar-day period will apply from the time you submit your additional information for the RFE (or until you receive your I-140 adjudication).

2. Does premium processing increase RFE risk?

No. USCIS uses the same standard for evaluating all petitions, even though an 'incomplete' (or weak) petition with a quick response may make the applicant feel vulnerable, therefore assuming the fast response initiated the RFE.

3. Is premium processing worth the cost?

Yes. If you require immediate action, have a deadline to adhere to, would like to file your I-485 before the 1-140 has been adjudicated, or are in need of a clear decision from USCIS regarding an employment/work-related matter, then premium processing is recommended. However, if your timeline has more flexibility, it may be optional.

4. Does premium processing speed up green card approval?

Indirectly, premium processing provides the opportunity for quicker filing of an I-485 application following the I-140, which can result in expedited I-485 processing. However, it does not affect the speed of accepting or denying an I-485.

5. How does premium processing differ from regular processing?

Premium processing provides significant advantages to applicants who have short timelines for their circumstances, applicants who need assured timely scheduling or for peace of mind. Premium processing offers substantial benefits for filing I-485 applications faster, by filing before receiving an I-140 adjudication.

Even though premium processing is available to applicants with flexible timelines, premium processing can be helpful when trying to gain clarity with immigration and when considering future planning with regards to employment and residency.

It is important to be sure your case is strong prior to requesting premium processing, especially if you have concerns that USCIS will scrutinize your EB-1A application using premium processing or if you are concerned about receiving an RFE regarding your application.

If you're unsure whether premium processing is right for your EB-1A profile, EB1A Experts can help you make the right decision.