Important Updates
Important Updates
May 14, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Children Can Now Use Passport E-Gates
May 15, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Federal Budget for 2026-27 Released
May 15, 2026 | ChileChile: Expedited Business Visa Implemented for Indian Nationals
May 15, 2026Fragomen Wins 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs for Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management and Thought Leadership
May 15, 2026 | RomaniaRomania: New Unified Work Permit System and Online System Implemented
May 14, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Children Can Now Use Passport E-Gates
May 15, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Federal Budget for 2026-27 Released
May 15, 2026 | ChileChile: Expedited Business Visa Implemented for Indian Nationals
May 15, 2026Fragomen Wins 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs for Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management and Thought Leadership
May 15, 2026 | RomaniaRomania: New Unified Work Permit System and Online System Implemented
May 14, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Children Can Now Use Passport E-Gates
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Travel and Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastNavigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Travel and Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

USCIS Resumes H-1B Premium Processing for Certain Foreign Physicians

June 23, 2017

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Silicon Valley, CA
  • Fragomen in San Francisco, CA
  • Fragomen in San Diego, CA
  • Fragomen in Phoenix, AZ
  • Fragomen in New York, NY
  • Fragomen in Matawan, NJ
  • Fragomen in Irvine, CA
  • Fragomen in Houston, TX
  • Fragomen in Chicago, IL
  • Fragomen in Los Angeles, CA
  • Fragomen in Washington, DC
  • Fragomen in Atlanta, GA
  • Fragomen in Boston, MA
  • Fragomen in Detroit, MI
  • Fragomen in Miami, FL
  • Fragomen in Dallas, TX

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Silicon Valley, CA
  • Fragomen in San Francisco, CA
  • Fragomen in San Diego, CA
  • Fragomen in Phoenix, AZ
  • Fragomen in New York, NY
  • Fragomen in Matawan, NJ
  • Fragomen in Irvine, CA
  • Fragomen in Houston, TX
  • Fragomen in Chicago, IL
  • Fragomen in Los Angeles, CA
  • Fragomen in Washington, DC
  • Fragomen in Atlanta, GA
  • Fragomen in Boston, MA
  • Fragomen in Detroit, MI
  • Fragomen in Miami, FL
  • Fragomen in Dallas, TX

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Silicon Valley, CA
  • Fragomen in San Francisco, CA
  • Fragomen in San Diego, CA
  • Fragomen in Phoenix, AZ
  • Fragomen in New York, NY
  • Fragomen in Matawan, NJ
  • Fragomen in Irvine, CA
  • Fragomen in Houston, TX
  • Fragomen in Chicago, IL
  • Fragomen in Los Angeles, CA
  • Fragomen in Washington, DC
  • Fragomen in Atlanta, GA
  • Fragomen in Boston, MA
  • Fragomen in Detroit, MI
  • Fragomen in Miami, FL
  • Fragomen in Dallas, TX

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that starting Monday, June 26, 2017, it will resume premium processing for H-1B petitions filed on behalf of medical doctors who have received a waiver of the J-1 two-year home residency requirement under the Conrad 30 Waiver program or through an interested government agency.  Premium processing remains temporarily suspended for all other H-1B petitions.

The premium processing suspension was put in place on April 3, 2017 to enable USCIS to clear its backlog of long-pending H-1B petitions.  Though the agency suggested that the suspension could last for up to six months, USCIS officials have suggested that the agency plans to gradually phase in H-1B premium processing by  case types, such as extensions, cap-exempt organization filings and cap filings.  Agency officials could not provide a timeline, though the overall suspension is not expected to exceed the six months originally projected.

Today’s announcement comes as welcome news to medical facilities that rely heavily on beneficiaries of Conrad 30 waivers.  The Conrad 30 program allows physicians who are subject to the J-1 home residency requirement to remain in the United States on H-1B visas after completing their medical training, provided that they agree to work in rural and urban areas that have a shortage of physicians.  By lifting the suspension now, these physicians can begin their medical service shortly after completing their residency and fellowship programs, which typically end on June 30. 

What This Means for Foreign Workers and Their Employers

Employers petitioning on behalf of beneficiaries of Conrad 30 or interested government agency waivers and who were unable to submit a premium processing request or whose earlier request was rejected for the underlying H-1B extension petition can now upgrade to premium processing by submitting Form I-907 and its required fee.  

All other H-1B case types remain under the premium processing suspension.  Though USCIS suggested that premium processing may become available for other case types, the timing remains uncertain.  Agency officials have indicated additional resources are needed in order to fully resume H-1B processing; the agency is in the process of training adjudicators to handle the additional workload.  Fragomen is carefully monitoring the premium processing suspension and will provide updates as they become available. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Silicon Valley, CA
  • Fragomen in San Francisco, CA
  • Fragomen in San Diego, CA
  • Fragomen in Phoenix, AZ
  • Fragomen in New York, NY
  • Fragomen in Matawan, NJ
  • Fragomen in Irvine, CA
  • Fragomen in Houston, TX
  • Fragomen in Chicago, IL
  • Fragomen in Los Angeles, CA
  • Fragomen in Washington, DC
  • Fragomen in Atlanta, GA
  • Fragomen in Boston, MA
  • Fragomen in Detroit, MI
  • Fragomen in Miami, FL
  • Fragomen in Dallas, TX

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Silicon Valley, CA
  • Fragomen in San Francisco, CA
  • Fragomen in San Diego, CA
  • Fragomen in Phoenix, AZ
  • Fragomen in New York, NY
  • Fragomen in Matawan, NJ
  • Fragomen in Irvine, CA
  • Fragomen in Houston, TX
  • Fragomen in Chicago, IL
  • Fragomen in Los Angeles, CA
  • Fragomen in Washington, DC
  • Fragomen in Atlanta, GA
  • Fragomen in Boston, MA
  • Fragomen in Detroit, MI
  • Fragomen in Miami, FL
  • Fragomen in Dallas, TX

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Fragomen in Silicon Valley, CA
  • Fragomen in San Francisco, CA
  • Fragomen in San Diego, CA
  • Fragomen in Phoenix, AZ
  • Fragomen in New York, NY
  • Fragomen in Matawan, NJ
  • Fragomen in Irvine, CA
  • Fragomen in Houston, TX
  • Fragomen in Chicago, IL
  • Fragomen in Los Angeles, CA
  • Fragomen in Washington, DC
  • Fragomen in Atlanta, GA
  • Fragomen in Boston, MA
  • Fragomen in Detroit, MI
  • Fragomen in Miami, FL
  • Fragomen in Dallas, TX

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs for Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management and Thought Leadership

Fragomen is recognized with multiple honors at the 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs, including Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management as a Service Provider and Thought Leadership – Best Survey or Research Study of the Year for the Worldwide Immigration Trends Report 2026.

Learn more

Blog post

Housing Market Dynamics in Saudi Arabia: Policy Changes, Rent Stabilization and Cost of Living Implications for Employers

Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.

Learn more

Visas

German Visa Risks: What Past Unauthorised Employment Means for Your Visa Application

Manager Dr. Adela Schmidt explains how German authorities assess past travel and business activities and why suspected unauthorized work during prior visits can lead to visa refusals and temporary entry bans.

Learn more

Podcast

Why Strategy Matters Now: Inside the Center for Strategy and Applied Insights

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Senior Director Leah Rogal discuss the mission of Fragomen’s Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and how it helps organizations and governments navigate evolving immigration policy and global talent mobility challenges.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen and Papaya Global Launch Strategic Partnership to Streamline Global Mobility and Compliance

Fragomen and Papaya Global announce a strategic partnership combining workforce technology and immigration capabilities to help organizations simplify global mobility, enhance compliance and manage cross-border workforces through a more integrated, technology-enabled approach.

Learn more

Video

Understanding Immigration in Latin America: Residency Options and Citizenship Pathways

Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria explores how Latin America’s evolving immigration landscape offers accessible and flexible residence pathways for foreign nationals, highlighting key visa options, regional trends and the growing role of digital modernization across the region.

Learn more

Podcast

Reality Check Pt. 2: Immigration Law in Pop Culture

Senior Associate Stephanie Weaver and Associate Julia Manacher continue their discussion on immigration law in popular culture, examining how television and media portray immigration processes and the realities behind common immigration storylines.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Trump Wants to Make H-1B Workers More Expensive for US Employers

Partner Kevin Miner discusses how proposed H-1B salary threshold increases may raise employer costs and influence hiring strategies for specialized talent across industries.

Learn more

Video

Portugal Extends Citizenship Timeline | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses Portugal’s newly approved nationality law changes and the potential impact on Golden Visa applicants and other foreign residents.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Wins 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs for Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management and Thought Leadership

Fragomen is recognized with multiple honors at the 2026 FEM Americas EMMAs, including Outstanding Agility & Crisis Management as a Service Provider and Thought Leadership – Best Survey or Research Study of the Year for the Worldwide Immigration Trends Report 2026.

Learn more

Blog post

Housing Market Dynamics in Saudi Arabia: Policy Changes, Rent Stabilization and Cost of Living Implications for Employers

Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.

Learn more

Visas

German Visa Risks: What Past Unauthorised Employment Means for Your Visa Application

Manager Dr. Adela Schmidt explains how German authorities assess past travel and business activities and why suspected unauthorized work during prior visits can lead to visa refusals and temporary entry bans.

Learn more

Podcast

Why Strategy Matters Now: Inside the Center for Strategy and Applied Insights

Partner Cosmina Morariu and Senior Director Leah Rogal discuss the mission of Fragomen’s Center for Strategy and Applied Insights and how it helps organizations and governments navigate evolving immigration policy and global talent mobility challenges.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen and Papaya Global Launch Strategic Partnership to Streamline Global Mobility and Compliance

Fragomen and Papaya Global announce a strategic partnership combining workforce technology and immigration capabilities to help organizations simplify global mobility, enhance compliance and manage cross-border workforces through a more integrated, technology-enabled approach.

Learn more

Video

Understanding Immigration in Latin America: Residency Options and Citizenship Pathways

Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria explores how Latin America’s evolving immigration landscape offers accessible and flexible residence pathways for foreign nationals, highlighting key visa options, regional trends and the growing role of digital modernization across the region.

Learn more

Podcast

Reality Check Pt. 2: Immigration Law in Pop Culture

Senior Associate Stephanie Weaver and Associate Julia Manacher continue their discussion on immigration law in popular culture, examining how television and media portray immigration processes and the realities behind common immigration storylines.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Trump Wants to Make H-1B Workers More Expensive for US Employers

Partner Kevin Miner discusses how proposed H-1B salary threshold increases may raise employer costs and influence hiring strategies for specialized talent across industries.

Learn more

Video

Portugal Extends Citizenship Timeline | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses Portugal’s newly approved nationality law changes and the potential impact on Golden Visa applicants and other foreign residents.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • AI Transparency Statement
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • AI Transparency Statement
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Twitter

© 2026 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.