Yesterday, USCIS announced it will resume Premium Processing effective Tuesday, March 12, 2019 for all H-1B petitions.  Petitions processed with Premium Processing result in USCIS review within 15-calendar days.  If USCIS fails to act within this time period, the government will refund the petitioner’s premium processing fee.

The reopening of Premium Processing is not specific to FY 2020 H-1B cap petitions.  USCIS will make a separate announcement whether Premium Processing is available for FY 2020 cap petitions soon.  If your H-1B petition is already pending, it is important to file the request for premium processing with the correct USCIS Service Center.  Petitioners who have received a USCIS Transfer Notice, indicating the file was transferred to either the Nebraska or Vermont Service Centers, must file the request for premium processing with the USCIS Service Center now handling the petition.