Premium Processing for all H-1B Petitions Resumes
On Oct. 3, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has resumed premium processing for all types of H-1B petitions.
H-1B employment status for nonimmigrant workers provides legal work status for a wide range of specialty occupations, including information technology, engineering, mathematics, and other occupations typically requiring a bachelor’s degree as a minimum qualification. When a petitioner requests USCIS’ premium processing service, the immigration agency guarantees a 15-calendar day processing time.
USCIS suspended its premium processing service for H-1B cases abruptly in early 2017, just prior to this year’s H-1B filing season. Since that time, USCIS has reinstated premium processing for H-1B visa subject to the annual cap, petitions filed on behalf of physicians under the Conrad 30 waiver program, as well as interested government agency waivers and certain H-1B petitions that are not subject to the cap. With today’s announcement, all H-1Bs are again eligible.
For more information on USCIS and its premium processing program, including how it affects a currently pending H-1B petition and employer portability under AC21, speak with a qualified business immigration attorney.
