Important Updates
Important Updates
August 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS to Consider a Foreign National’s Support for Ideologies and Organizations Viewed as Anti-American When Adjudicating Certain Immigration Benefit Requests
August 20, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
August 20, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: New Salary Benchmarking Table by Sector Now Available
August 20, 2025 | ThailandThailand: New Rules Forthcoming for Board of Investment-Promoted Companies
August 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Naturalization Applicants to Undergo Broader Good Moral Character Review Under New USCIS Guidance
August 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS to Consider a Foreign National’s Support for Ideologies and Organizations Viewed as Anti-American When Adjudicating Certain Immigration Benefit Requests
August 20, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
August 20, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: New Salary Benchmarking Table by Sector Now Available
August 20, 2025 | ThailandThailand: New Rules Forthcoming for Board of Investment-Promoted Companies
August 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Naturalization Applicants to Undergo Broader Good Moral Character Review Under New USCIS Guidance
August 20, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS to Consider a Foreign National’s Support for Ideologies and Organizations Viewed as Anti-American When Adjudicating Certain Immigration Benefit Requests
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
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
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • 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

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

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
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

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

June 23, 2017

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Related offices

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

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

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

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

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

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

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

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

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

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

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Greek Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Start Smart: Visa Pathways for Educational Opportunities in Thailand

Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Charles Johanes contributes to Global Mobility Lawyer’s Guide to Global Immigration

Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Learn more

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Media mentions

NBC Bay Area: H-1B Visa Holders Will Be Required to Renew in Person Starting in September

Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.

Learn more

Video

Greek Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Start Smart: Visa Pathways for Educational Opportunities in Thailand

Partner Aim-on Larpisal and Senior Knowledge Management Specialist outline key visa options available to international students seeking to study in Thailand, emphasizing strategic planning for a smooth application process.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Charles Johanes contributes to Global Mobility Lawyer’s Guide to Global Immigration

Partner Charles Johanes contributed insights to the Australia section of a global immigration and mobility guide.

Learn more

Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Viewpoint: Immigration Compliance: A Strategic Imperative for Today’s Employers

Pittsburgh Managing Partner Alex Castrodale and Associate Adam Teets highlight the need for US employers to prepare for unannounced immigration compliance checks.

Learn more

Blog post

From Ground Staff to Game Day: UK Skilled Worker Visa Changes in 2025 and the Impact on the Hidden Workforce in Sports Sector

Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

Blog post

Talent & Policy: Navigating Career Beginnings and Hiring Challenges in Singapore

Assistant Business Immigration Managers Jeszel Panistante-Cabral, Elsie Lim and Nellanie Quimson explore the complexities young professionals face entering the workforce and the evolving hiring landscape in Singapore.

Learn more

Blog post

Global Mobility Support and Visa Services: Fragomen’s Outbound Solutions from Germany

Director David Iannella discusses Fragomen Germany’s approach to outbound immigration solutions and how the office supports global mobility through visa services and compliance expertise.

Learn more

Blog post

Lifting the Curtain: Saudi Arabia Demands Full Disclosure of Real Company Owners

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung discuss Saudi Arabia’s push for corporate transparency through new ownership disclosure rules.

Learn more

Video

Fragomen's Posted Worker Compliance Solutions

In this video, we share an overview of Fragomen's posted worker compliance solutions.

Learn more

Blog post

From Facilitation to Surveillance: How Digitalization Will Impact Your European Compliance Program

Partner Jo Antoons and Managers Sara Fekete and Andreia Florina Ghimis explore how digitalization is reshaping European compliance programs and share how organizations can prepare with Fragomen’s support.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: What the UK’s Industrial Strategy and Immigration Reforms Mean for Employers

Partner Rajiv Naik examines how the UK’s industrial strategy and immigration reforms will reshape talent access and create new opportunities for HR and mobility teams.

Learn more

Media mentions

NBC Bay Area: H-1B Visa Holders Will Be Required to Renew in Person Starting in September

Partner Audrea Golding discusses recent changes requiring most H-1B visa holders and certain dependents to complete in-person interviews abroad for visa renewals.

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
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

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

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

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

© 2025 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.