The American immigration authority has announced suspension of premium processing of H-1B visas until further notice. USCIS announced on March 17, 2020, the temporary suspension of premium processing service for fiscal year (FY) 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions. Some states will allow you to extend your license by presenting evidence of a timely filed extension while other states require evidence confirming that your nonimmigrant status has been approved. Please note that this suspension applies only to H-1B cap petitions filed under the annual H-1B cap season and it is expected that the premium processing service will be reinstated for all cap cases towards late June 2020. USCIS will process any petition with a previously accepted Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. However, you will not possess work authorization from October 1st until USCIS ultimately approves the H-1B petition. In this case, the premium processing suspension may require you to delay your travel plans or remain abroad until USCIS approves your petition and you secure a new visa stamp.Yes, in some states, you may have an issue renewing your driver’s license.
Note that the suspension of premium processing only applies to cap-subject petitions. If USCIS lifts the premium processing suspension early, which may occur prior to the six-month mark, your employer will have the option of submitting a premium processing request to accelerate processing of your H-1B petition.Yes, once the suspension is lifted, a premium processing request may be submitted at any time.If you are in the U.S. in a valid nonimmigrant status and your company seeks to extend your status, you will remain eligible for an up to 240-day extension of your status beyond the date of your I-94 admission record.
Effective today, March 20, 2020, USCIS will not accept any Please find below a list of frequently asked questions with our insights.The premium processing suspension is effective on March 20, 2020.USCIS states that the suspension will last until further notice, and that the agency will notify the public with a confirmed date for resuming premium processing service. The coronavirus pandemic has forced USCIS to temporarily suspend premium processing services for all Forms I-129. Effective today, March 20, 2020, USCIS will not accept any new requests for premium processing for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions. In the past, premium processing suspensions have lasted up to six (6) months.The suspension includes petitions filed for the following nonimmigrant categories: E-1, E-2, H-1B, H-2B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, LZ (blanket), O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1, R-1, TN-1 and TN-2.The suspension also includes all types of I-140 petitions, including EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3.If you will rely on H-1B cap gap and USCIS has not issued a decision on your H-1B petition as of October 1st, you may continue to remain in the U.S. until USCIS issues a decision. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing services for all Forms I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Forms I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers due to COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the premium processing suspension should not affect your continued work authorization. However, if you have international travel plans after the expiration of your current status and/or your visa stamp is expired, you will need your new approval notice to apply for a visa stamp before returning to the U.S.