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USCIS INCREASES PREMIUM PROCESSING FEE - APPLIES TO I-129 TN VISA PETITIONS

As of October 19, 2020, USCIS has increased its premium processing fee to $2,500 from its current fee of $1,440 for most petitions including TN visa petitions.

USCIS’ premium processing service is an optional service that allows petitioners to request a 15-day review of their I-129 temporary worker petitions for this additional filing fee (i.e. on top of the normal I-129 filing fee). This does not mean an approval will be issued within 15 days. USCIS could also issue a Request for Evidence (or denial) during the 15-day period as well. If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, it will then re-start the 15-day review period upon receipt of the reply to the Request for Evidence.

Employers of TN visa workers can utilize Form I-129 and request premium processing with Form I-907 in the following scenarios:

  1. Canadian citizens requesting TN visa status while outside the U.S.

  2. Canadian or Mexican citizens requesting a change to TN visa status while physically present in the U.S. under a different non-immigrant visa classification (e.g. F-1 or H-1B visa status).

  3. Canadian or Mexican citizens requesting a change of TN visa employers while physically present in the U.S. under TN visa status.

  4. Canadian or Mexican citizens requesting an extension of TN visa status while physically present in the U.S. under TN status.