Premium Processing

USCIS premium processing reduces the USCIS standard processing times from 2 – 5 months to 15 business days. The ISSO is centrally funded to cover standard USCIS processing fees, but we are not funded to support the $2805.00 premium processing fee, when required or preferred.

Keep in mind that premium processing requests expedite the final step of USCIS adjudication but do not influence timing related to ISSO review, preparation and mailing, department follow-up and required preliminary processing via the Department of Labor. Further, payment of premium processing does not account for the up to 14 days it takes to receive USCIS receipts and approvals once issued.

Credit card payment authorization for premium processing

For security purposes, do not send the completed payment authorization form to the ISSO until your scholar advisor confirms that the petition is ready for submission to USCIS.

  • Complete Form G-1450 Authorization for Credit Card Transaction.  Use this sample as your template to complete the form properly and please note the following:
    • Applicant’s/Petitioner’s/Requester’s Information: BU is the applicant/petitioner (not the beneficiary/employee)
    • Print, sign and date the document (digital signatures are not permitted); we also recommend that you write in the employee’s name to help with your reconciliation process
  • Deliver the form to the ISSO securely. Send the completed and signed Form G-1450 to the ISSO via datamotion (either to issosch@bu.edu or to your Scholar Advisor). If preferred, you are welcome to deliver the form in-person to the ISSO front desk during our business hours (M, T, Th, F 9 am – 5 pm; W 12 pm- 5pm) or send to us via courier.

ISSO will not retain/copy this document and USCIS will shred the form once the payment is processed.

We anticipate that this new payment process will increase the number of petitions that the USCIS mailroom rejects. A rejection is not a denial; rather it means that USCIS will not accept the petition to review and adjudicate and will return it to the petitioner. The ISSO will then need to re-file the petition.  Since it takes several weeks to know if a petition has been accepted for processing, advance planning is more important than ever. It is imperative that ISSO receive the completed immigration processing packet at least 4 months in advance of the desired start date. This will allow us to complete all preliminary work and submit the petition to USCIS at least 2 months in advance of the requested start date and will allow some added cushioning in the case that the petition is rejected by the USCIS mailroom.

To reduce chances of rejection by the USCIS mailroom please note the following:

  • Incorrect credit card numbers, card expiration date or fee noted: Double and triple check the details for accuracy.
  • Data entry errors at USCIS mailroom: USCIS will attempt to process the payment once. The USCIS mailroom staff will manually enter the data into their payment system; if they do not properly enter the data provided, the petition will be rejected.
  • Per transaction or monthly credit card limits: Make sure that the credit card you are using has the appropriate per transaction ($2805) and monthly limits to accommodate payment.

The ISSO will receive the official I-797 receipt notice approximately 14 days after we submit the petition to USCIS. We can send that to you as needed for payment reconciliation. However, since the ISSO will be sending a separate Form G-1450 for the regular H-1 processing fees, the amount noted on the receipt will reflect all payments. If you prefer the amount noted on the official I-797 receipt to match the $2805.00 charge for reconciliation purposes, the regular and premium processing petitions will need to be submitted separately. Please speak with your Scholar Advisor if this is preferred.