Suspension of Premium Processing For H-1B Visas
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It is no secret that individuals seeking a change in immigration status from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) often experience delays in the processing time of their applications. Now, the processing time for many people seeking H-1B visas may be substantially increased.
USCIS recently announced that as of April 3, all premium processing services for H-1B visa applications will be suspended. Generally speaking, processing of an H-1B visa application can take three to six months. However, if the applicant pays an additional $1,225 for premium processing, their application review will be expedited to render a response within 15 days or they receive a refund. Once the premium processing option is suspended, everyone will face the same delays in receiving a response. This includes both highly skilled workers recruited from foreign countries, as well as foreign students who are finishing their U.S. educations and being recruited for jobs in the U.S.
Many people – especially F-1 visa students waiting to hear if they received approval of their H-1B visas – may lose work authorization while they wait for their pending applications to be processed. In addition, there can be restrictions on international travel, as doing so can cancel any change of immigration status requests.
Some cap-exempt employers may find other ways to obtain review and approval of H-1B visa applications in a faster way. For example, they may be able to request expedited review, which USCIS grants based on certain criteria. Such criteria can include:
- Serious monetary loss to a business or individual;
- The existence of an emergency situation;
- Humanitarian purposes;
- Situations involving national interest or the Department of Defense (these requests must originate from a government agency);
- Nonprofits that further social or cultural interests in the U.S.;
- USCIS has a compelling interest;
- USCIS committed an error.
If you are applying for an H-1B visa and attempt to get premium processing during the suspension, your request will be rejected. In addition, it is important to know that you should not submit one check for both the visa application fee and the premium processing fee. If you do so, both the application and the premium processing request will be rejected.
Contact Our Chicago Immigration Lawyers For Assistance Today
When announcements are released like the recent announcement regarding the suspension of premium processing, it is easy to feel helpless against a confusing and changing immigration system. However, it is important to realize that help is available and our experienced Chicago immigration attorneys will strive to find solutions to your immigration situation. At the law office of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, we represent clients during the visa application process, as well as in a number of other serious immigration matters. We understand how important your immigration status is to you and your family, so please call today at 312-332-2550 for more information.
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Kevin Raica literally saved my life. He helped me out of a dangerous situation that my previous attorney had put me in. After 17 years without status and 6.5 years of working with my previous attorney, I had experienced so many denials that I had completely lost hope. When I met Kevin, everything changed. He genuinely cared about my situation and gave me hope when I couldn’t see any for…
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I would like to sincerely thank Attorney Justin Burton and PL Kamila Lada for support with my adjustment of status case. I have been working with the firm for over a year now, and I have received nothing short of exceptional services and support throughout various cases for myself and family members. Highly recommend consulting and retaining this firm.
We have been in the dark with our case for over 2 decades, while working with other big firms who just kept me in the dark and sat on our case without making any effort to move it forward until I met the wonderful team at Kriezelman & Burton. AO and JP are truly God-sent angels who with their knowledge, collaboration, sense of direction and outside the box thinking, managed…
Highly recommend attorney Kevin Raica and attorney Agata Bigdanowicz. They were super helpful, responded on time, and won my case in record time. It took about a month and half in total for me to get my approval after filing!
Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
I give my total recommendation and trust in this great organization that has supported me and my family in very difficult times, especially the lawyer Andrea Ochoa and her paralegal Rafael who were little angels that God has sent us to be able to face all the obstacles that we have had along the way. Thank you very much with all my heart. ❤️
I have heard from several people that Brittni is a great attorney. When my friend was detained, I recommended Brittni to take his case. She did an amazing job putting together all the necessary information, especially given that we had only a couple of days to submit the habeas corpus application. She and her team worked very professionally and provided clear guidance throughout. She stayed in touch consistently and was…
Highly recommend Jennifer Peyton in federal litigations. She’s very polite and experienced.
I decided to use the services of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and Kevin was nothing short of professional and amazing. From the consultation to the final approval, he gave us confidence and reassurance throughout the entire process. When I first told him about my wife’s wish to change her status, the first thing he said was, “We will get it done.” Even during the USCIS pause, he continued to…
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