At a glance
- Beginning Tuesday, March 12, 2019, employers can request premium processing service for all H-1B petitions, USCIS has announced.
- The announcement suggests that premium processing will be available for the FY 2020 , though USCIS could announce a separate suspension at a later date.
This situation
USCIS will resume premium processing services for all new and pending H-1B petitions on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Employers who wish to upgrade cases to 15-day processing can file Form I-907 and the $1,410 premium fee.
The service will now be available for H-1B extensions of status, changes of employer, initial H-1B filings not subject to the annual cap, and amendments. Though the USCIS notice does not specifically address the FY 2020 H-1B cap filing season, which begins April 1, 2019, premium processing services appear to be available for those cases as well. USCIS could, however, impose a separate premium suspension for these cases at a later date.
Since January, USCIS has incrementally lifted the H-1B premium processing suspension, which was originally imposed on April 2, 2018.
What employers should do now
Employers with new or pending H-1B cases should contact their designated Fragomen representative if they wish to request premium processing service. Employers preparing responses to USCIS requests for evidence can include a premium processing request and fee with their response.
Employers planning to file FY 2020 H-1B cap cases should discuss premium processing with their Fragomen team, with the understanding that USCIS could later decide to suspend that service for cap cases as April 1 approaches.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Edward Raleigh highlights the need for companies to prepare for increased H-1B enforcement and ensure compliance with US worker requirements.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Labor’s Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.
Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.
Awards
Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Brown highlights rising deceptive practices in immigration and emphasizes stronger verification and compliance measures for employers.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how proposed UK reforms could expand right to work checks across hospitality and reshape compliance for businesses.
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.
Media mentions
Partner Edward Raleigh highlights the need for companies to prepare for increased H-1B enforcement and ensure compliance with US worker requirements.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Labor’s Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.
Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.
Awards
Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Brown highlights rising deceptive practices in immigration and emphasizes stronger verification and compliance measures for employers.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how proposed UK reforms could expand right to work checks across hospitality and reshape compliance for businesses.
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.