USCIS Announces New Premium Processing for EADs

In a welcome development for hundreds of thousands of applicants, USCIS has announced the expansion of premium processing to Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) across all eligibility categories. Previously, premium processing was limited to H-1B and certain I-140 petitions.

Starting March 1, 2026, applicants can pay the $1,685 premium processing fee to receive a decision on their EAD application within 30 business days. If USCIS fails to meet this deadline, the fee will be refunded.

This is particularly significant for:
- H-4 dependent spouses waiting for work authorisation
- F-1 OPT and STEM OPT applicants facing long processing delays
- L-2 spouses seeking employment
- Asylum applicants with pending cases

Current standard processing times for EADs have stretched to 8-12 months in many service centres, leaving applicants unable to work for extended periods. The new premium processing option should dramatically reduce wait times for those who can afford the fee.

Immigration attorneys recommend filing the premium processing request simultaneously with the initial EAD application rather than waiting to upgrade later. USCIS has set up a dedicated processing unit to handle the expected surge in premium requests.