As delays in standard visa processing by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continue to grow, premium processing has shifted from an optional service to a necessity for many international students and skilled workers. Immigration attorney Rajiv Khanna highlighted that applicants across various visa categories, including F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), H-1B, and L-1, are now routinely paying extra fees to expedite their applications. Premium processing fees can reach $1,780 for OPT and STEM OPT applications, and $2,965 for H-1B and L-1 petitions, with total costs often exceeding $10,000 when attorney fees are included. The burden is particularly heavy for international students and small businesses. The typical processing time for standard applications now ranges from three to eight months, causing many to opt for premium processing to meet job start dates or avoid gaps in work authorization. Critics argue that applicants are effectively paying a surcharge for timely service that should be standard, questioning whether premium processing fees are helping to alleviate the broader USCIS backlogs. The situation has raised concerns about the fairness and efficiency of the immigration process, particularly for those who are already financially strained.