H-1B Premium Processing Has Begun

On April 27, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions requesting it, and for petitions seeking an exemption from the H-1B cap for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher. USCIS guarantees a 15-calendar-day processing time for premium processing.

For H-1B petitions that are not subject to the cap and for any other visa classification, the 15-day processing period for premium processing service begins on the date USCIS receives the request. However, for cap-subject H-1B petitions, including advanced-degree exemption petitions, the 15-day processing period began on April 27, 2015, regardless of the date on the Form I-797 receipt notice, which indicates the date on which the premium processing fee is received.