Paying a third party to speed up a US visa, green card or work permit does not work, and USCIS warns it is likely a scam. The only faster options are official ones, requested from or paid directly to the US government.
On September 18, 2026, USCIS posted on X that businesses and websites sometimes pretend to have special government connections and guarantee faster approvals for a fee. The agency emphasized that only USCIS can determine whether to expedite processing.
What the Official Warning Says
The USCIS Common Scams page lists “Paying Money for Connections or Jumping the Line” as a common fraud. It states that some businesses and websites pretend to be immigration experts and may “guarantee” a visa, green card or work permit faster if you pay a fee.
USCIS makes clear that you do not need a representative to file USCIS forms. You can file forms yourself and represent yourself before USCIS. If you do hire help, it should be an attorney in good standing or an accredited representative working for a DOJ-recognized organization.
Legitimate Ways Processing Can Be Faster
There are official paths, but none involves paying an outsider to “jump the line.”
- Premium Processing (USCIS): For eligible forms, including I-129 and I-140 petitions and some I-765 and I-539 applications, you can file Form I-907 and pay a fee directly to USCIS. It guarantees an adjudicative action within 15, 30 or 45 business days depending on the form, but does not guarantee approval.
- Expedite Request (USCIS): You may ask USCIS to consider expediting your case on a case-by-case basis. The decision is at USCIS’s sole discretion, generally requires documentation, and must meet criteria such as severe financial loss, emergencies or urgent humanitarian reasons, government interest or a clear USCIS error.
- Expedited Visa Interview (State Department): Consular sections may expedite interview appointments for urgent travel, such as humanitarian reasons, with proof required. Separately, a State Department pilot running until December 31, 2026 lets B-1/B-2 applicants at selected posts pay an extra $750 for an interview within 10 business days. It only moves the interview date and “in no way guarantees visa issuance.” No post in India is part of the pilot, according to Business Today. Read more in our guide to the $750 US visa interview fee.
How to Get Safe Help If You Need It
If you want representation, check that the person is either a licensed US attorney or an accredited representative listed by the DOJ Executive Office for Immigration Review. The USCIS Legal Services page and the USCIS Avoid Scams page list where to verify credentials.
If you are targeted by a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission and through the USCIS Tip Form. USCIS says reporting a scam committed by someone else will not negatively affect your application in most cases, if you are not involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I request an expedited US visa interview in India?
You must already have a confirmed interview date, then request an expedited appointment through the official online appointment system. The US Mission in India says expedited slots are very limited and it cannot accommodate all travelers before their planned dates, even when travel is time-sensitive. If approved, you are notified by email.
Can I use premium processing for a US tourist visa?
No. Premium processing is a USCIS service for certain petitions and applications, such as Forms I-129, I-140, I-765 and I-539. Tourist and business visas are applied for through a US embassy or consulate, where the only paid option is the $750 expedited interview pilot at selected posts.
How much does USCIS premium processing cost?
From March 1, 2026, the fees are $2,965 for most I-129 petitions and I-140 petitions, $1,780 for I-129 H-2B or R-1 petitions, $2,075 for eligible I-539 applications, and $1,780 for I-765 OPT and STEM OPT applications. The fee is paid to USCIS, never to an agent.
How can I tell if a visa email or website is official?
USCIS warns about emails that do not end in .gov and about offers to expedite your case for money. For US visa appointments abroad, start from your US embassy’s own website and follow its links: in India, for example, the mission directs visa questions to [email protected].
What should I do if I already paid a scammer?
Contact your bank, card issuer or payment app immediately and ask them to reverse the payment, the FTC advises. Then report the scam to the FTC and through the USCIS Tip Form, and to your local police if you lost money.
Sources
- USCIS, Common Scams (includes “Paying Money for Connections or Jumping the Line”)
- USCIS, Avoid Scams (official representation and reporting guidance)
- USCIS, Expedite Requests (criteria and process)
- USCIS, How Do I Request Premium Processing?
- USCIS, USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees
- Federal Register, Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (expedited B1/B2 appointment fee)
- U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India, Visas
- FTC, What To Do if You Were Scammed
- Business Today, B-1/B-2 visa fast track pilot expands to six new locations
- NDTV, “Paying Someone To Fast-Track Your US Visa? USCIS Says It’s Likely A Scam”
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