USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing of H-1B Extension of Stay Petitions

USCIS has announced that effective May 26, 2015, they are temporarily suspending the premium processing for all H-1B extension of stay petitions for two months, or until July 27, 2015.     This surprising announcement comes in light of the anticipated heavy demand and number of filings for H-4 Spouse EAD when the filing window for this new work permit begins on May 26, 2015.

Premium Processing Not Available for New Filings of H-1B Extensions

During this time frame, petitioners will not be able to file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, requesting an extension of the stay for an H-1B nonimmigrant.  USCIS will continue to premium process H-1B Extension of Stay petitions filed with Form I-907 premium requests prior to May 26, 2015.   Although USCIS has not specifically confirmed this in their announcement, USCIS is expected to continue to allow premium processing of H-1B petitions requesting initial terms of stay or consular processing.

Reasons for Temporarily Suspending H-1B Premium Processing

The rationale behind this two-month temporary suspension of the premium processing option for H-1B extension of stay petitions is the anticipated heavy demand and high number of H-4 Spouse EAD filings on and shortly after May 26th.    This is the earliest date when applications under the new H-4 Spouse EAD program can be filed and it is expected that there will be tens of thousands applications filed over the first weeks or months of eligibility.

Only H-1B Extension of Stay Applications Are Affected

We should highlight one more time that the temporary suspension of premium processing applies only to H-1B extension of stay petitions.    These types of petitions are expected to include H-1B extensions with the same employer or H-1B transfer petitions where an extension of stay is also being sought.

Petitions Not Affected.  H-1B petitions requesting change of status, H-1B amendments without extension of stay, petitions for L-1 (and other visa types eligible for premium processing) should remain unaffected with premium processing service available.

Why is USCIS Suspending Premium Processing on H-1B Extension of Stay and Not Other H-1B Cases?

While USCIS has not articulated their motives and rationale as to which types of H-1B petitions’ premium processing service is being suspended,  we think that USCIS made a calculated decision to minimize the impact of their decision to suspend premium processing.   The H-1B extension of stay application are, for the most part, cases where employment is authorized even while the H-1B petition (transfer or extension) is pending.    By suspending the premium processing  option for only this type of H-1B cases, we think USCIS wanted to minimize the impact of their decision.

For example, in H-1B extension situations, the relevant provisions of The American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC21) allow employment for as long as the timely-filed H-1B extension petition is pending, even if the underlying  H-1B petition has expired (normally up to 240 days).   Similarly, in cases of timely-filed H-1B transfer and extension of stay petitions, the beneficiary is generally allowed to start working for the new employer upon receipt of the H-1B transfer petition.

Premium Processing Fee Refunds Will be Offered to Affected Cases

For H-1B premium processing cases filed prior to May 26, 2015, USCIS will refund the premium processing fee if USCIS is unable to act on the case within 15 calendar days of filing.     We expect that USCIS will reject the premium processing component of H-1B affected H-1B petitions during this period (assuming the premium processing fee is in the form of a separate filing fee check).

What Else May Be Affected?

Given this unexpected announcement and in the fact of really high number of H-4 Spouse EAD filings on or after May 26th, it is likely that the USCIS processing timelines across the board may increase, at least at USCIS Service Centers which are dealing with H-4 Spouse EAD applications.   For example, we expect receipt notices to take longer to be issued and mailed out and we expect processing times to generally increase.      We urge proper planning and early filing to avoid problems caused by any processing delays.   Contact us if we can assist in any way.

Conclusion

This extraordinary (and unexpected, at least to us) announcement suggests that USCIS is bracing for a very high rate of H-4 Spouse EAD filings next week after May 26th.    This also suggests that there may be wider delays and possible disruption of processing times/services by USCIS which may go beyond H-1B extension filings.   We urge H-1B employers who have filed or are planning to file H-1B petitions, including extensions or change of status applications, to plan carefully and consider the possibility that H-1B petition adjudication times would increase.

Similarly, H-1B workers who are seeking an extension in order to prepare for an H-4 Spouse EAD filing or perhaps to travel abroad for stamping are now likely to see increased processing times and non-availability of the premium processing service.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any help in preparing for this unanticipated H-1B premium processing disruption of service.    We are also assisting many H-4 Spouse EAD applicants and we are happy to offer information and a quote of our H-4 Spouse EAD filing services.   Please feel free to subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to obtain developments on this and related topics.