USCIS has announced that it will suspend premium processing for all H-1B extension petitions between May 26, 2015, and July 27, 2015. It will use this time to implement the Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Spouses and ensure that these applications for work authorization will be adjudicated in a timely manner.
Premium processing allows certain petitions and applications to be expedited. A decision or Request for Evidence (“RFE”) must be issued within 15 calendar days of filing the premium processing request. For this service, USCIS requires a $1,225 filing fee to be included with the petition.
USCIS will continue to process cases filed using premium processing prior to May 26, 2015. If an H-1B extension is filed under premium processing before May 26, 2015, but a decision is not issued within the 15-day period, USCIS will refund the premium processing fee. All other petitions are still eligible for premium processing.