ALERT — USCIS recently announced that it will no longer accept H-1B premium processing petitions starting April 3, 2017.

USCIS Suspends H-1B Premium Processing as of April 3, 2017

This suspension affects all H-1B cases filed under the upcoming regular or master’s cap. USCIS anticipates the “premium processing” suspension to last “up to six months” while it catches up on long-pending petitions. These include H-1B extension cases that are nearing the 240 day mark.

The experienced immigration attorney at Columbus, Ohio-based Porter Law Office, LLC has in depth experience with securing immigration benefits including H-1B visas.

If you need assistance with an immigration matter or an H-1B premium processing case, contact the business immigration lawyer at Porter Law Office, LLC in Columbus, Ohio today.

Who Is Affected?

As for the H1b premium processing status, all petitions filed under the upcoming H-1B cap (which for FY18 are filed on April 3, 2017) whether filed under the regular or master’s advanced degree cap exemption. The H-1b premium processing suspension also applies to petitions that may be cap-exempt.

During this suspension period, USCIS will reject any request for premium processing (filed on Form I-907) filed with an H-1B petition.

Practice Pointer: If a petitioner submits one combined check for both the Form I-907 and Form I-129 H-1B fees, USCIS will have to reject both forms. Do not file these forms together starting after April 3, 2017.

USCIS will continue to accept premium processing request for H-1B petitions filed before April 3, 2017. USCIS will refund the premium processing fee if: (i) the petitioner filed the Form I-907 for an H-1B petition before April 3, 2017, and (ii) it did not take adjudicative action on the case within the 15-calendar-day processing period.

Immigration Lawyer in Columbus, Ohio

H-1B Visa Attorney

Porter Law Office, LLC has experience in securing H-1B visas for a wide variety of organization and individuals. The H-1B visa process is complex. There are strict federal labor laws and immigration rules and regulations. Columbus, Ohio immigration lawyer Matthew R. Porter, Esq. assists employers in complying with the H-1B visa regulations. We can help your organization with H1b premium processing status issues. If your organization is considering sponsoring a foreign national on an H-1B visa, contact Columbus, Ohio immigration lawyer Matthew R. Porter to discuss your H-1B visa options.