Premium Processing Extension Requests Update

On July 13, 2015, USCIS resumed premium processing of H-1B extension request petitions. Previously, on May 19, 2015, USCIS announced that it would not process H-1B premium processing extension requests filed between May 26, 2015 and July 27, 2015 so that it could work on the new H-4 work authorization applications that began May 26, 2015.  (See a previous blog post about the new H-4 work authorization (EAD) program for certain spouses of H-1B workers.)  Premium processing requests for H-1B extension cases filed before July 13, 2015 will be rejected. All other I-129 form category extension cases have continued to be premium processed. New premium processing filings as of June 1, 2015 require use of the new I-907 form (ver. 1/29/15) in all categories where premium processing is permitted.

FY 2016 New H-1B Cap-Subject Filings Update

Meanwhile, on July 14, 2015, USCIS announced that  it completed processing the return of fiscal year 2016 H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected in their computer-generated random selection process. (There were approximately 233,000 applications for 85,000 slots!)

USCIS previously announced on May 4, 2015, that it completed data entry of all selected cap-subject petitions.

Petitioners with H-1B cap-subject petitions filed between April 1 and April 7, 2015 who have not received a receipt notice or a returned petition by July 20, 2015, should contact USCIS.