USCIS announced today that its suspension of Premium Processing
for Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap Petitions will be extended through at
least February 19, 2019.
Originally slated to resume in about two weeks, USCIS advised
of this extension while also announcing an expanded suspension of
H-1B Premium Processing. Specifically, starting September 11, 2018,
USCIS also will not accept Premium Processing for an H-1B Petition
unless the filing is
statutorily cap-exempt, or if the Petition requests a
continuation of previously approved employment without change
– whether the employee is present in the United States and
seeking an extension of stay, or if he or she is presently outside
the United States and will need to apply for a Visa to return. For
all other H-1B Petitions – including Amended H-1B Petitions,
H-1B Portability Petitions, and new employment for H-1B employees
abroad – Premium Processing will not be available until at
least February 19, 2019. Expedited Processing
