USCIS announced today that it was reinstating the premium processing option for certain R-1 petitions. Under premium processing, the petition receives an initial determination (approval, request for additional evidence or notice of intent to deny) within 15 days in exchange for an extra $1,000 filing fee. This program is only available for religious institutions that have previously had successful completion of a site inspection in conjunction with a previous R-1 petition at the location where the beneficiary will be employed.