O-1A/O-1B Petitions and Premium Processing During a Shutdown

(UNITED STATES) As of October 1, 2025, during the ongoing federal government shutdown, USCIS remains operational, allowing artists, athletes, and other high-achieving professionals to continue filing O-1A and O-1B petitions. Because U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is fee-funded, its core case intake and adjudications continue even when Congress has not passed new appropriations. For employers, agents, and talent with urgent projects, this means O-1 petitions can still move forward, and Premium processing remains available to speed decisions.

What the O-1 category covers

• O-1A: Individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, or athletics.
• O-1B: Individuals with extraordinary achievement in the arts, motion picture, or television industry.

During a shutdown, the key concern is whether these filings are delayed or paused. USCIS has confirmed—based on prior shutdowns and current operations guidance—that its fee-funded model keeps the O-1 pipeline open. Petitioners can continue to submit cases and receive decisions, including for time-sensitive engagements.

Premium processing: status, fee, and timeline

USCIS continues to offer Premium processing for O-1 petitions. Important details:

• Fee: $2,805 (effective February 26, 2024).
• Processing time: 15 federal business days for O classifications.
• These service features remain in effect during the shutdown because they rely on user fees, not annual appropriations.

Employers using Premium processing should plan filing dates with the 15-day clock in mind—especially when contracts and event dates are approaching.

What parts of the immigration system may be affected

While USCIS operations continue, not every part of the employment immigration system runs at full speed during a shutdown:

• The Department of Labor (DOL) may face disruptions.
• E-Verify may be unavailable or limited.

However, these interruptions do not directly affect O-1 petitions:

• O-1 filings do not depend on a DOL labor condition filing.
• E-Verify is a post-hire verification tool and does not control USCIS adjudication.

In short: the O-1 path remains open, even if adjacent systems go offline temporarily.

Policy operations during the shutdown — practical implications

Because USCIS is funded by filing fees, it will keep accepting and adjudicating O-1 petitions despite the funding lapse. This mirrors past shutdown patterns.

For petitioners, that means:
– You can file initial O-1 petitions and extensions.
– You can request Premium processing for faster action.
– You can continue preparing evidence packages without pausing your timeline.

VisaVerge.com reports that Premium processing for O-1 classifications is expected to continue even during budget lapses, aligning with USCIS’s practice of maintaining fee-funded services. That continuity is critical for time-bound performances, tournament schedules, production deadlines, and product launches tied to specialized talent.

Evidence and adjudication expectations

USCIS’s fee-funded structure lets many adjudication functions continue. The agency can:
– Keep staff focused on case review.
– Issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs) when needed.
– Approve or deny cases based on the record.

Petitioners should still build strong evidence files. Include:
– Detailed support letters.
– Press coverage, awards, and box office or sales data where relevant.
– Contracts that map to the requested period of stay.

The shutdown does not relax the legal standard. It simply means the door to file remains open.

For Premium processing users, best practices:
1. Count business days carefully for the 15-day clock.
2. Maintain a clear contact method for USCIS notices.
3. Track mail delivery, online account updates, and any case correspondence.
4. If you receive an RFE, respond quickly with organized, credible documents to keep the case on an expedited track.

Impact on applicants and employers

The shutdown’s main effects lie outside the O-1 adjudication lane. Practical takeaways:

• Continue filing and moving forward with O-1 petitions.
• Coordinate start dates with onboarding teams, knowing employment verification tools (like E-Verify) could be delayed.
• For talent abroad, plan timelines conservatively and keep stakeholders informed.
• Adjust requested validity periods and provide updated contracts or letters if event dates or production timelines change.

Applicants and petitioners should remember:
– USCIS continues to accept and adjudicate O-1 petitions during the shutdown because it is fee-funded.
– Premium processing remains available at $2,805, with a 15 federal business day response timeline.
– DOL and E-Verify disruptions do not directly affect O-1 adjudication.
– Always check the most current USCIS updates before filing to confirm any time-sensitive changes.

Why timing matters

For many in the arts and sports, timing is everything:
– A touring artist may need approval before a festival date.
– A professional athlete might require clearance ahead of a season opener.
– A research leader could be central to a product rollout.

The reassurance that O-1 petitions and Premium processing are still open can prevent costly delays. USCIS’s fee-funded model provides a path to maintain talent plans even when other federal services slow down.

Sources and recommendations

• The latest fee and processing standards for Premium processing are on USCIS’s official page: USCIS Premium Processing Service.
• USCIS encourages stakeholders to monitor its alerts and newsroom posts for the most current guidance.

Political debates over federal spending can stretch for weeks. Under previous administrations, USCIS has continued fee-funded casework through shutdowns. For O-1 filers, focus on process not politics:

• File well-documented cases.
• Use Premium processing when time-sensitive.
• Keep communication lines open with counsel and agents.
• Adjust requested validity periods and submit updated contracts or letters if timelines change.

According to VisaVerge.com analysis, continued Premium processing during shutdowns has helped employers keep critical projects on schedule—especially in entertainment and sports where fixed dates drive outcomes. With O-1 petitions moving and Premium processing active, stakeholders can plan with more confidence even as other federal services experience pauses.

For now, the O-1 message is simple: the door is open. USCIS remains operational, O-1 petitions are being accepted and decided, and Premium processing continues with a clear fee and timeline. If in doubt, check the USCIS website or consult a qualified immigration attorney to map the best path forward while the shutdown continues.