News Flash: All H1B & I-140 Premium Processing is Suspended (incl H1B 2021)

USCIS suspends all Premium Processing.

• Mar 16, 2020  – H1B Visa 2021 Premium Processing is Suspended
• Mar 20, 2020 – All H1B and I-140 Premium Processing is Suspended due to Coronavirus

All H1B & I-140 & I129 Premium Processing is Suspended

USCIS just announced that all I-129 and I-140 Premium Processing is Suspended due to Coronavirus.  Here’s the news from USCIS. This announcement supersedes previous H1B Premium Suspension.

Q. What does all I-129 mean?

• I-129 form is used not only for H1B Visa Petition, it’s also used for all other visa types as listed in the announcement.

Q. I applied in Premium for Employer Transfer last week. What happens to that?

USCIS will reject the I-907 (Premium Processing form) and return the $1,440 filing fee for all petitions requesting premium processing that were mailed before March 20 but not yet accepted.

Q. Does this apply to Transfer, Amendment, Extension and Cap-Exempt H1B Visa?

Yes. It applies to transfer, H1B amendment, Extension, H1B Visa 2021, Extension of stay and also I-140 for Green Card Process and even Cap-Exempt H1B Visa.

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H1B Visa Premium Processing is Suspended for FY 2021 season

Everyone was wondering if Premium Processing will be Suspended for H1B Visa FY 2021 season.

Just like the previous years, USCIS just announced the suspension of H1B Visa Premium Processing.

Key Points from Premium Suspension

• Suspension Applies: H1B Visa 2020 – 2021
• Twp Phase Approach
• Phase 1: Advanced Degree Cap with Change of Status
• Phase 2: Other H1B Visa Petitions
• Phase 1 will Resume no later than May 27, 2020
• Phase 2 will resume after June 29, 2020

Follow the FAQ’s for H1B Visa 2021

This is developing news.

Q1. Does H1B suspension apply to Transfer and Extensions?

From USCIS: At this time, premium processing remains available for H-1B petitions that are exempt from the cap, such as extension of stay requests.

Like previous years, this suspension of Premium Processing applies only to Cap-Subject H1B petitions done via New Registration system.

Q2: My new employer applied for H1B transfer or premium processing on March 9th 2020. Does this suspension apply to me? Hoping you say no. Freaking out!

USCIS clearly stated that Premium suspension is only for New Applications.

 

What questions do you have about the suspension of H1B Visa Premium Processing?

You can ask questions about Premium Processing suspension to an Immigration Attorney directly during the office hours and get the answers.

I will be hosting Immigration attorney Office Hour for Premium Members of Happy Schools

You can consult/speak to the attorney for free as Premium Members during the office hours call.