Effective 3/12/2019, the USCIS Will Resume Premium Processing for All H-1Bs
March 12, 2019
Effective today, the USCIS will accept premium processing requests for all types of H-1B petitions. This includes H-1B petitions being filed now (extensions, amendments and changes of employer) as well as petitions which are pending; upgrades to premium processing may now be requested. Last month, the USCIS announced they would resume premium processing only for H-1B petitions filed on or before December 21, 2018.
Earlier this year, the USCIS said it would resume premium processing of Fiscal Year 2019 (FY 2019) H-1B petitions (filed in April 2018).
The USCIS fee for premium processing went up to $1,410 last fall. When premium processing is requested with the required fee, the USCIS guarantees a 15 day processing time (outcomes can be an approval, Request for Evidence, or denial).
In past H-1B lottery seasons, the USCIS has announced it would suspend premium processing for the fiscal year cases. It is not clear at this time whether the most recent USCIS announcement means that this year there will be no suspension of premium processing for the lottery cases.
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