The Eb 1-3 visa is a high priority worker visa that allows for multinational executives and managers to gain permanent residency in the United States. As a high priority worker visa, the EB 1-3 visa does not require a time consuming labor certification like the EB-2 and EB-3 visas. However, the EB 1-3 visa is not the fastest EB-1 Visa. Unlike the EB 1-1 Visa (for individuals of extraordinary abilities) and the EB 1-2 Visa (for outstanding professors and researchers), the EB 1-3 Visa does not allow for premium processing.
Premium processing refers to the process where an applicant pays the government an additional fee (currently $1250) to get a response within fifteen days of the visa petition’s submission. As mentioned above, the EB 1-2 and EB 1-1 Visa allows for premium processing. Additionally, many nonimmigrant visas can utilize premium processing – including the H-1B, L-1 and O-1 visa.
Unfortunately, premium processing is not available fore EB 1-3 visa applicants. Instead, multinational executives and managers must wait for the application process – which is currently about four months. If you are a multinational executive or manager, and need to gain entrance into the United States faster, then you could qualify for the L-1 visa. The L-1 visa, which qualifies for premium processing, is for intracompany transferees.
Once in the United States on the L-1 visa, you could apply for the EB 1-3.
Which visa types qualify for premium processing tends to change periodically. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney before moving forward with any case that could involve premium processing.