Premium Processing For H-1B Petitions Suspended Beginning April 3, 2017
USCIS has announced that, in order reduce overall H-1B processing times, they will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions starting April 3, 2017. This suspension of premium processing also applies to cap-exempt H-1B petitions.
Last year, in response to “historical premium processing receipt levels and the possibility that the H-1B Cap would be met within the first 5 days of the filing season” USCIS suspended premium processing of cap-subject H-1B petitions until May 12, 2016.
This year’s suspension is both broader in scope and is likely to be in place for a longer period of time.
USCIS did not state when the temporary suspension will end, but indicated that it could be suspended for up to 6 months and the public will be notified before they resume premium processing for H-1B petitions.