Can I get a refund if I paid for Premium Processing and withdrew my petition?

Premium Processing is an optional, fee-based service offered by USCIS that provides faster adjudication of certain petitions, including some related to the L-1 visa. Because it is an expedite service, the fee compensates for the reduced processing timeframe and is generally not refunded simply because the petitioner withdrew the case.

There are specific situations in which USCIS may provide a refund of that fee, but the conditions, timelines, and exceptions are set by the agency itself and are subject to change. For that reason, it is not advisable to rely on a fixed refund rule: the scenario applicable to your case should be confirmed through the official source.

It is also worth distinguishing two separate matters: the expedite service fee and the other petition fees are each governed by their own rules, and withdrawing a petition does not automatically mean recovering amounts already paid.

Before requesting or canceling Premium Processing, check the current rules directly with USCIS or with an immigration professional, so you can make an informed decision based on the policy in effect.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.