USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing Due to COVID-19

March 20, 2020

Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The announcement impacts H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, O-1, and TN nonimmigrant categories among others. The announcement also impacts EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 immigrant categories.

Effective today, March 20, 2020, USCIS will not accept any new requests for premium processing. USCIS will process any petition previously accepted in accordance with the premium processing service criteria. Petitioners who have already filed a petition using the premium processing service and who receive no agency action on their case within the 15-calendar-day period will receive a refund, consistent with 8 CFR 103.7(e). USCIS will notify the public with a confirmed date for resuming premium processing. 

USCIS previously announced the temporary suspension of premium processing for FY 2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions and tentative dates for resumption of premium processing service.