Premium Processing ROI Calculator
Calculate whether paying for USCIS premium processing is worth it based on salary, lost income, and time savings.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
Premium processing (Form I-907) guarantees a USCIS response within 15 business days for an additional $2,805 fee. For workers waiting to start a job, the time saved can be worth significantly more than the fee. If your employer pays the fee, it is almost always worth it.
The Formula
Income Saved = Weeks Saved x Weekly Salary (if not currently working)
Net Benefit = Income Saved - Out-of-Pocket Cost
ROI = (Income Saved - Fee) / Fee x 100%
Net Benefit = Income Saved - Out-of-Pocket Cost
ROI = (Income Saved - Fee) / Fee x 100%
Variables
- $2,805 — Current premium processing fee (2024)
- 15 days — Guaranteed USCIS response time with premium
- Response — Approval, denial, or RFE (not guaranteed approval)
Example
A $100,000/year worker not yet authorized to work: regular H-1B takes ~24 weeks, premium takes ~3 weeks. That is 21 weeks saved x $1,923/week = $40,385 in income. Net benefit vs $2,805 fee = $37,580.
Tips
- Premium processing guarantees a response, not necessarily an approval.
- If USCIS issues an RFE, the 15-day clock resets after you respond.
- Employers can legally pay the premium processing fee for employees.
- Not all form types are eligible for premium processing.
- For I-140 premium processing, it allows earlier I-485 filing.