Consistent with our advisory from late August, as of today, September 11, 2018, USCIS will no longer accept Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions unless said Petitions are:

• Statutorily cap-exempt; or
• Filed with the Nebraska Service Center and requesting a continuation of previously approved employment without change (for both internal extensions and consular notification).

USCIS suspension of Premium Processing for all other H-1B filings – including Petitions subjected to the Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap, H-1B Portability Petitions (i.e. transfers), Amended H-1B Petitions, filings for new H-1B Employment, and even H-1B Petitions noting a nonmaterial change to previously approved employment – is now in effect. The suspension is expected to last through at least February 19, 2019.

Moreover, beginning on October 1, 2018 the filing fee for Premium Processing will increase to $1,410.00. The new fee. which represents a nearly 15-percent-hike, will apply to all cases that are eligible for Premium Processing, including the above-listed exceptions to the H-1B suspension.

If you would like our Firm’s services for any and all matters related to H-1B Premium Processing, please do not hesitate to contact our office.