At HSD Immigration Lawyer, we routinely assist entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals with complex immigration filings under the E-2 treaty investor and other nonimmigrant visa categories. Recently, we experienced a real-life reminder that even premium processing cases can encounter unexpected slowdowns — and that proactive communication can make all the difference.
The Case: E-2 Extension Filed Through the USCIS Chicago Lockbox
Last week, our firm prepared and submitted an E-2 extension petition for one of our business clients. The filing package was sent via priority overnight FedEx to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox and was confirmed delivered early Friday morning.
Given that the petition included Form I-129 with premium processing, we expected to receive the electronic receipt notice (Form I-797C) within 24–48 hours — as is typical for most premium filings. However, several days passed without any email confirmation or case number from USCIS.
The Waiting Game and Client Anxiety
Our client — understandably — became anxious, wondering whether the petition had been properly accepted or if a payment issue had occurred. During this time, our legal team:
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Verified delivery and intake scans from FedEx;
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Sent separate follow-up emails to the USCIS Lockbox Support Team; and
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Continued to reassure our client that this delay, while frustrating, was likely a matter of internal processing.
Finally, on Friday morning, nearly a week after delivery, we received the electronic receipt notice confirming that USCIS had accepted the petition for processing. The relief was immediate — for both our client and our staff.
A Possible Factor: The New Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions
This particular filing was one of the first few where we utilized the newly implemented Form G-1650 (Authorization for ACH Transactions) to pay the USCIS filing fees. Under this system, payments are processed via ACH transaction, which can occasionally introduce additional verification steps on the agency’s side.
While we cannot confirm a direct link, it’s possible that delays in ACH transaction settlement contributed to the slow issuance of the electronic receipt notice.
Clarifying the Premium Processing Timeline
It’s worth noting that USCIS’s 15 business days premium processing clock does not begin on the date the receipt notice is issued. Instead, it starts on the date USCIS receives the petition or application at its designated filing location — in this case, the Chicago Lockbox.
This means that even when the receipt notice arrives days later, the premium processing period is retroactively calculated from the official date of receipt logged by USCIS. The delay in generating the electronic notice therefore does not shorten the adjudication period, but it can still cause understandable anxiety for applicants and employers awaiting confirmation that the case has entered the system.
Lessons for Employers and Applicants
Even with premium processing, the lockbox intake process — which includes payment authorization and case setup — remains a potential bottleneck.
If you are waiting for your premium processing receipt:
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Stay proactive — confirm delivery and maintain a record of all correspondence.
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Follow up professionally with the Lockbox Support Team if no receipt appears within a few business days.
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Reassure clients and employees that the premium clock begins on the date of receipt by USCIS, not on the date the notice is generated.
Our Commitment at HSD Immigration Lawyer
At HSD Immigration Lawyer, we understand how stressful even short delays can feel when immigration status, travel, or employment depends on timely filings. Our team remains dedicated to clear communication, meticulous documentation, and steady advocacy — ensuring our clients are supported through every step, even when it’s just waiting on that one critical email from USCIS.