Search
Contact
Login
Share this article
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that premium processing will resume Jan. 28 for all H-1B cap petitions for fiscal year 2019.
Key points:
Background: Premium processing allows petitioners to request faster service for an additional government fee. USCIS must respond within 15 days or refund the fee. The agency announced the suspension of premium processing for H-1B cap petitions just before filing season began, and in August, extended the suspension and expanded its scope to encompass nearly all H-1B petitions. At that time, USCIS had indicated that the suspension would last until Feb. 19, 2019.
BAL Analysis: The resumption of premium processing is good news for employers, especially those concerned that the lengthy processing times would require them to put their H-1B employees on unpaid leave. Employers should assess which employees need their H-1B petitions to be expedited and request premium processing for those cases as soon as possible. USCIS is reminding petitioners who request premium processing that if their petition was subject to a request for evidence (RFE), they must include any responses to the RFE with their premium processing request.
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2019 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
The April Visa Bulletin shows a major retrogression of more than two years in the EB-5 unreserved visa category preference…
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a new “alien registration” process as part of implementation of an executive order…
Singaporean officials announced significant updates to the Work Permit and S Pass that will take effect between July 1 and…
The New Zealand government announced additional changes to the Active Investor Plus Visa to simplify the investment process. Key Points:…