Who pays the Premium Processing fee?

As a general rule, the Premium Processing fee is paid by the petitioner, that is, the company, organization, or agent that files the O-1 petition on behalf of the professional. Since the petition is submitted by the sponsoring party, it is typically that party who covers the cost of the service.

Premium Processing is an optional USCIS service that allows for faster adjudication of the petition. Because it is optional, the decision to use it, and to pay for it, rests with whoever files the petition and needs a faster response.

Keep in mind that, under internal agreements between the parties, this expense may ultimately be passed on to the beneficiary. Since rules and fees are subject to change, confirm the latest details on the USCIS website before requesting the service, and be cautious of any guarantees of a specific outcome.

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.