diff --git a/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/microcode/core.c b/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/microcode/core.c
index f75c140906d0..d7baec8ec0b4 100644
--- a/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/microcode/core.c
+++ b/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/microcode/core.c
@@ -589,6 +589,17 @@ static int load_late_stop_cpus(bool is_safe)
 		pr_err("You should switch to early loading, if possible.\n");
 	}
 
+	/*
+	 * Pre-load the microcode image into a staging device. This
+	 * process is preemptible and does not require stopping CPUs.
+	 * Successful staging simplifies the subsequent late-loading
+	 * process, reducing rendezvous time.
+	 *
+	 * Even if the transfer fails, the update will proceed as usual.
+	 */
+	if (microcode_ops->use_staging)
+		microcode_ops->stage_microcode();
+
 	atomic_set(&late_cpus_in, num_online_cpus());
 	atomic_set(&offline_in_nmi, 0);
 	loops_per_usec = loops_per_jiffy / (TICK_NSEC / 1000);
diff --git a/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/microcode/internal.h b/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/microcode/internal.h
index ae8dbc2b908d..a10b547eda1e 100644
--- a/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/microcode/internal.h
+++ b/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/microcode/internal.h
@@ -31,10 +31,12 @@ struct microcode_ops {
 	 * See also the "Synchronization" section in microcode_core.c.
 	 */
 	enum ucode_state	(*apply_microcode)(int cpu);
+	void			(*stage_microcode)(void);
 	int			(*collect_cpu_info)(int cpu, struct cpu_signature *csig);
 	void			(*finalize_late_load)(int result);
 	unsigned int		nmi_safe	: 1,
-				use_nmi		: 1;
+				use_nmi		: 1,
+				use_staging	: 1;
 };
 
 struct early_load_data {