O-1 Petition - To Upgrade to Premium or Not?

[Justin2490 1]

Hi, all!

I'm in the process of getting my first O-1 visa, submitted all materials to USCIS on March 8th. Status still shows "Case Was Received". My first commitment in the US starts on May 23rd, which is around a month from now. A couple of days back USCIS updated their Vermont Center processing time charts, and it shows that the last case they processed was three and half months back. I'm considering to upgrade to PP, but I heard that USCIS tends to send out RFE's and tends to deny more PP cases. Is that true?

I'm asking because two years ago I filed O-1 petition with PP from the top and got denied. But I know I wasn't ready for my career back then, the case today is way stronger.

Any advice? Love this website, Thanks for having me here! Cheers!

[Boiler 45,482]

PP gets you a decision, but as your employer is paying and it is their call and money why not.

[HollywoodNorth 22]

One of my O1's was PP, and I had an answer within a week. No problems.

My second O1 was supposed to be PP as well, but because of confusion [the studio I was signing a contract for was being taken over by another film studio and as a result there was two immigration teams dealing with my O1 case], it was filed normally.

It took about 2 months to process and my start date at the new job was pushed back by 1 month [they kept issuing me new contracts every week].

If timing is critical then PP is worth it IMO.

Edited April 14, 2016 by HollywoodNorth

[Justin2490 1]

Thank you guys, we decided to upgrade it, we sent USCIS the additional fee and the new form. They probably will get in on Monday or Tuesday. I'll start my own log here. Feels good!

[HollywoodNorth 22]

Good luck! I found premium processing doesn't impact the outcome in my experience, it just bumps you to front of line.

[Justin2490 1]

Thank you! When upgrading to PP, do I get a new receipt number or USCIS just updating it through my current number (filed with normal processing and now just upgraded it to PP)

[HollywoodNorth 22]

That I don't know. I never upgraded to PP after a submission before.

[coolgt 0]

you don't get a new receipt number. It just bump from the regular to Premium.

Premium or regular outcome is the same. Premium just faster processing that is all.

[Justin2490 1]

Yes, thank you! We've just upgraded my I-129 to Premium Processing and the receipt number remained the same. The status now is "Case Was Received and A Receipt Notice Was Emailed on April 19th". I will keep you posted under this thread (: Exciting!

[Justin2490 1]

UPDATE:

After upgrading to Premium Processing on April 19, Yesterday, April 28th, My Case Was APPROVED!!!!! I'm so happy I can't even speak lol!!!

Now all is left is to go to my local US Embassy to get my visa stamp and on the plane to NY on May 25th!

Thank you for all the answers and help. I'm so thrilled

[HollywoodNorth 22]

That is great news.

Make sure you keep copies of your O1 visa package. It's handy to have in case you need to get another one in the future, it makes it easier to update referral/advisory letters and so forth.

[Justin2490 1]

Additional Update:

I just had my O-1 interview at the local US embassy and my visa was approved (: I'll get the passport with the O-1 visa in about 2 days I'm so excited!

Next stop - New York!

Thanks for all the info and help guys, you are the best

[janetlopezmiranda 1]

Additional Update:

I just had my O-1 interview at the local US embassy and my visa was approved (: I'll get the passport with the O-1 visa in about 2 days I'm so excited!

Next stop - New York!

Thanks for all the info and help guys, you are the best

Hello May I ask for your help? What questions they asked you during the Interview? Im also approved

[Justin2490 1]

Hello May I ask for your help? What questions they asked you during the Interview? Im also approved

Sure, and congrats on your O-1 approval! So basically it was kinda straightforward at the embassy, and he asked the questions I thought he would. It was something like that:

VO: Hi how's it going? First time in the US?

Me: Hi good morning Sir, not the first time

VO: (looked at his screen) oh, it's an O-1 visa, what is that you do? And can I see your I797?

Me: Sure (gave him the approval notice). I'm a musician. I'm a guitar player and singer

VO: ok, how long are you gonna be in the US?

Me: 3 years

VO: and after those 3 years are you gonna be back to your home country?

Me: Yes Sir

VO: what kind of music do you play and where are you going to play in the US

Me: told him

VO: how long do you play the guitar?

Me: told him

VO: (typed some things). OK you are all set, you'll get the passport back in a few days.

Me: thank you have a great week!

VO: you too! No problem!

That's more or less how it went. The VO was super friendly and smiled all the time. Best experience ever. Good luck with your interview! I believe hat if you don't have criminal record in your country or any previous convictions, you should be good!

[janetlopezmiranda 1]

Sure, and congrats on your O-1 approval! So basically it was kinda straightforward at the embassy, and he asked the questions I thought he would. It was something like that:

VO: Hi how's it going? First time in the US?

Me: Hi good morning Sir, not the first time

VO: (looked at his screen) oh, it's an O-1 visa, what is that you do? And can I see your I797?

Me: Sure (gave him the approval notice). I'm a musician. I'm a guitar player and singer

VO: ok, how long are you gonna be in the US?

Me: 3 years

VO: and after those 3 years are you gonna be back to your home country?

Me: Yes Sir

VO: what kind of music do you play and where are you going to play in the US

Me: told him

VO: how long do you play the guitar?

Me: told him

VO: (typed some things). OK you are all set, you'll get the passport back in a few days.

Me: thank you have a great week!

VO: you too! No problem!

That's more or less how it went. The VO was super friendly and smiled all the time. Best experience ever. Good luck with your interview! I believe hat if you don't have criminal record in your country or any previous convictions, you should be good!

hello justin,

thank you very much you are so helpful. And no dont have any criminal record or any offense etc!

again thank you