A Long-Awaited Modernization
In late 2025, USCIS enabled online filing for Form I-140 petitions in the EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) and EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) categories through the MyUSCIS portal.
While the agency did not make a formal public announcement, immigration attorneys and applicants confirmed that it appears both petition types can now be submitted electronically, along with supporting documents and filing fees.
This represents a significant modernization for two categories that historically required voluminous paper submissions. EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petitions often include hundreds of pages of evidence—including publications, citation records, media coverage, expert opinion letters, and supporting exhibits.
The ability to submit these materials electronically can help to eliminate mailing delays, reduces the risk of lost packages, and provide immediate receipt confirmation.
How Online Filing Works
Filers can submit a standalone Form I-140 through their USCIS online account. The system accepts Form G-28 (attorney designation) alongside the I-140.
However, online filing is available only for standalone I-140 submissions as of April 2026. If you’re filing I-140 together with another form, such as Form I-485 for adjustment of status, the combined package must still be submitted by mail.
After filing the I-140 online and receiving a receipt number, a premium processing request (Form I-907) can be submitted separately through the online system. This allows filers to take advantage of both online filing and expedited adjudication.
Payment must be made electronically. USCIS no longer accepts personal or business checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks for paper filings unless the filer qualifies for an exemption. For online filings, payment via credit or debit card is processed directly through the USCIS account.
Complete Fee Breakdown for Online Filers
Filers should budget for the full range of government fees. The base I-140 filing fee is currently $715 as of April 2026 . Self-petitioners (which includes most EB-1A and EB-2 NIW filers) must also pay the Asylum Program Fee: $600 for most petitioners, or $300 for individuals and small employers with 25 or fewer employees. On the I-140 form, you will indicate your employer size to determine the applicable Asylum Program Fee amount.
For EB-1A petitions, premium processing (Form I-907) provides adjudication within 15 business days for an additional fee of $2,965 (as of a March 1, 2026 increase). For EB-2 NIW petitions, premium processing provides adjudication within 45 business days for the same $2,965 fee.
All USCIS fees are subject to change without notice. Always verify the current fee schedule at uscis.gov before filing any petition.
Current Limitations and Known Issues
Early adopters of the online filing system reported several practical limitations.
The most significant is a file-size limit, with some reports indicating a maximum of approximately 12 megabytes per upload. For EB-1A and EB-2 NIW petitions, which frequently include extensive evidentiary exhibits, this limit may require splitting supporting evidence into multiple PDF uploads.
Dividing evidence across multiple files can disrupt the narrative flow of a petition and may make it harder for the adjudicating officer to review individual pieces of evidence in context. Attorneys should likely consider how to organize uploads to maintain logical coherence—such as grouping evidence by criterion or by exhibit type—and including a clear index or table of contents.
Some users have also reported intermittent glitches in the upload process. As with any new system, filers should allow extra time and verify that all documents have been successfully uploaded before finalizing the submission.
Paper Filing Remains Available
Online filing is optional. Paper filing continues to be a viable option for all I-140 submissions, and some practitioners may prefer it for complex cases where maintaining a carefully organized evidence package in a specific order is important for the adjudicator’s review.
The choice between online and paper filing should be made based on the specific circumstances of each case.
For straightforward petitions with manageable evidence packages, online filing can offer advantages in speed and tracking. For highly complex EB-1A or EB-2 NIW cases with extensive exhibits, paper filing may still provide better control over evidence presentation.
The Stelmakh & Associates Approach
At Stelmakh & Associates, we evaluate the best filing method for each client’s case on an individual basis.
Whether we recommend online or paper filing, our focus remains on the quality of the underlying petition. The strength of your evidence, the clarity of your narrative, and the thoroughness of your documentation are all important factors in achieving a successful outcome—and our approval rates across EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and O-1 categories consistently and significantly exceed the national industry averages.
If you are preparing a petition for filing in 2026, contact us to discuss your case strategy, filing method, and timeline.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
At Stelmakh & Associates, we maintain approval rates that are significantly higher than the national industry averages across the EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and O-1 categories. Our results reflect the depth of preparation, strategic evidence development, and individualized attention we bring to every case. If you have questions about how these developments affect your immigration options, we are here to help.