USCIS has announced that it will suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions effective April 3, 2017. As of that date, premium processing may be unavailable for up to six months. This suspension will apply to all H-1B petitions, including those subject to the fiscal year 2018 H-1B quota.

Until this suspension takes effect, all H-1B petitions not subject to the 2018 H-1B quota may continue to be premium processed, including any eligible H-1B extension or transfer petitions. Employers may wish to consider premium processing for all eligible H-1B petitions as a timely decision can ensure an applicant’s continued ability to travel internationally, renew a driver’s license, or in some cases, begin working for the petitioning employer.

In most cases, an H-1B applicant may change employers based on a properly filed and pending H-1B transfer petition.  An H-1B applicant may also continue to work for their current employer for up to 240 days while a timely filed H-1B extension is pending.

Please do not hesitate to contact our office with any questions.