Premium processing resumes for all H-1B petitions

As anticipated, premium processing resumed today for all H-1B petitions. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services predicted the change last week on a conference call, but only officially announced the resumption of premium processing today.

Key points:

• Premium processing is now available for all H-1B cases, including requests for H-1B extension of status, change of employer and amendments.
• Premium processing was temporarily suspended for all H-1B petitions April 3 for an anticipated six-month period.

Background: Expedited 15-day premium processing may be requested for an additional government filing fee. In March, USCIS announced that it would temporarily suspend premium processing beginning April 3, 2017 at the start of the filing season for H-1B cap petitions for fiscal year 2018. In June and July, the agency resumed premium processing for some cap-exempt H-1B petitions including those filed for physicians under the Conrad 30 waiver program and those filed by qualifying educational or nonprofit employers. On Sept. 18, premium processing was resumed for pending H-1B cap-subject petitions for fiscal year 2018.

BAL Analysis: Companies wishing to upgrade any H-1B petitions to premium processing should contact their BAL professional as soon as possible.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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