O-1 Visa Processing Time: Filing, USCIS and Premium
How long an O-1 petition takes: about 2 weeks for Lando to file, 15 business days with USCIS premium processing, and what can change your timeline.
Quick answer. Lando's average time from first call to a filed petition is about two weeks. After filing, USCIS decides on its own schedule. With optional premium processing, USCIS must take action on the petition within 15 business days. Without it, the time depends on USCIS's current processing times, which change.
The timeline in three stages
| Stage | Who controls it | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Evaluation and evidence map | You and Lando | Days 1 to 4 |
| 2. Building and filing the petition | Lando, with attorney review; you approve | Days 5 to 14 (about 2 weeks in total) |
| 3. USCIS review | USCIS | 15 business days with premium processing; otherwise see USCIS's published processing times |
The day-by-day plan
- Day 1: You get an honest answer. We review your background on a 15-minute call and tell you honestly whether you have a strong case, and exactly what evidence would make it stronger. No retainer. No commitment.
- Days 2 to 4: You know exactly what your case looks like. We build your custom evidence map: which achievements to lead with, which expert letters to commission, and which USCIS criteria your background hits. You see the full picture before we file anything.
- Days 5 to 12: Your petition is built without you lifting a finger. Our team writes your expert support letters, drafts the legal brief, curates every exhibit, and reviews the full petition before it leaves our hands. You approve. We file.
- Day 14: Filed in 2 weeks. You get on with your life. Two weeks in, your petition is filed at USCIS and we manage every communication from there. With premium processing, USCIS issues a decision in 15 business days, and we handle any RFE at no extra charge.
What "15 business days" means
Premium processing (Form I-907, fee $2,965) gives a USCIS time frame, not an approval date. Within 15 business days USCIS takes an action on the petition: an approval, a denial, a Request for Evidence (RFE), or a notice of intent to deny. If USCIS issues an RFE, the response is prepared and sent, and Lando includes RFE responses in its fee.
What can slow things down
- Evidence that is hard to collect, for example letters from busy experts.
- An RFE or a notice of intent to deny.
- Paperwork the employer or agent has to provide.
- USCIS volume, if you do not use premium processing.
Plan around your start date
Tell Lando your job start date or your status expiry on the first call, so the timeline can be planned backward from it.
Common questions
Does Lando guarantee a decision date?
No. The 15 business days is a USCIS time frame, and no one can promise USCIS's decision.
How long does standard (non-premium) processing take?
It varies and changes over time. Check USCIS's published processing times for the current figure.
What does premium processing cost?
USCIS charges $2,965 as of September 2026. It is optional and paid to USCIS.
Is the two-week figure a guarantee?
No. It is Lando's average time to a filed petition. Your timeline depends on how quickly evidence and letters come together.
Sources
Checked September 2026.
Lando is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Petitions are prepared in coordination with licensed U.S. immigration attorneys.