H-1B Premium Processing Temporarily Suspended

in Fall 2024 Workshops
April 3rd, 2017

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily suspended their premium processing service for all H-1B petitions to clear the back-log in regular processing. The suspension, effective 4/3/2017, may last for up to six months or until early October. During the suspension, the ISSO will continue to submit H-1B petitions via ‘regular’ processing but USCIS processing times will be difficult to predict. Please be assured that USCIS’s standard processing timelines continue to work well for continuing and new employees already in the H classification. However, employees who require a change of status to H-1B from another non-immigrant classification in order to commence work or continue their BU appointment may be subject to delays or gaps in employment eligibility due to the suspension. The ISSO is reviewing each H-1B sponsorship request carefully and is following up with host departments and employees that may be affected by the premium processing suspension to outline potential outcomes and determine whether or not there are other sponsorship options.