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ARTICLE · 22 MARCH 2018

USCIS Suspends Premium Processing For Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions Beginning April 2, 2018

Seyfarth Shaw LLP
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USCIS recently announced that the agency will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 cap beginning on April 2, 2018.

United StatesImmigration
Maura Travers
Maura Travers
Michelle Gergerian
Michelle Gergerian
Gabriel Mozes
Gabriel Mozes
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Seyfarth Synopsis: USCIS recently announced that the agency will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 cap beginning on April 2, 2018. The suspension will only apply to H-1B petitions subject to the cap. USCIS indicates the purpose of the suspension is to process H-1B petitions that have been pending for many months, including in particular those approaching the 240-day automatic extension limitation, which would thereby reduce overall H-1B processing times.

1. Does the suspension apply only to cap-subject H-1B petitions?

The suspension is limited to FY2019 cap-subject H-1B petitions only. H-1B petitions not subject to the cap seeking to extend status, amend status, change status, consular process, or change employers may still utilize premium processing until further notice.

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