USCIS warns against Green Card scams as US reviews premium processing rules

US Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued a formal warning to visa and Green Card applicants against immigration scams offering guaranteed faster processing in exchange for fees, even as federal officials evaluate changes to official premium processing rules.

In a public statement, the immigration agency cautioned applicants that no private organisation, website, or individual possesses special government connections capable of accelerating visa, Green Card, or work permit decisions. The warning arrives as thousands of Indian skilled workers and foreign professionals navigate long waiting lists for employment-based visas and work authorisations.

USCIS issues fraud warning over paid speed-up claims

USCIS stated that all immigration benefits are processed strictly through standard official procedures. The agency emphasised that applicants do not require third-party representatives to submit immigration filings and may complete applications independently.

For those seeking legal or administrative help, USCIS advised working solely with qualified immigration attorneys or accredited representatives recognised by the US Department of Justice. The agency urged applicants to conduct all fee transactions exclusively through official myUSCIS accounts and to distrust any payment requests directed to individual bank accounts or websites lacking a official government domain.

White House reviews proposed premium processing changes

Alongside its fraud warnings, the US government has initiated executive review of a proposed rule titled "Amending the Premium Processing Timeframe". The proposal was submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866.

The text of the proposed rule remains undisclosed, meaning the exact visa categories affected and any potential changes to current deadlines have not been published. Until a proposed rule appears in the Federal Register and completes a public comment period lasting between 30 and 60 days, existing processing timelines remain fully active.

Timeline of US immigration premium processing rules

| Effective date | Regulation change | Standard timeline | Target applications || 31 May 2022 | Expansion to executive & NIW petitions | 45 business days | EB-1C executives and EB-2 National Interest Waiver || 1 April 2024 | Shift from calendar to business days | 15, 30, or 45 business days | H-1B workers, select Green Cards, work permits || Pending review | Amending Premium Processing Timeframe | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |

Current premium processing rules allow employers sponsoring H-1B professionals and employment-based Green Card applicants to receive guaranteed decisions within 15, 30, or 45 business days upon paying an additional fee. Federal officials have not published a deadline for completing the regulatory review.