USCIS Suspends Premium Processing for All I-129 and I-140 Petitions Due to COVID-19

Date:03/20/2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Petitions for forms I-129- or I-140-related premium processing that were mailed prior to March 20th, but which were not yet accepted for processing as of Friday (March 20th), will be rejected. Petitioners who already filed form I-129 or form I-140 whose cases are not adjudicated within the 15-calendar-day period for normal premium processing will have their premium processing fees refunded.


This temporary suspension includes petitions filed for the following categories:

  • I-129: E-1, E-2, H-1B, H-2B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, LZ, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1, R-1, TN-1 and TN-2 petitions
  • I-140: EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 preference category petitions

This includes new premium processing requests for all H-1B petitions, including H-1B cap-subject petitions for fiscal year 2021, petitions from previous fiscal years, and all H-1B petitions that are exempt from the cap. There is no information about when USCIS anticipates it will resume its premium processing service for the above-listed petition types

For more information, please refer https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/uscis-announces-temporary-suspension-premium-processing-all-i-129-and-i-140-petitions-due-coronavirus-pandemic

The information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Before making any decision, consult with the appropriate professionals. Please refer our Disclaimer for details.


What is H1-B Visa?

H1B Visa is an employment-based, non-immigrant visa for temporary workers. Read about the Eligibility, Quota for H1B Visa and more. Read More

H-1B Electronic Registration Process

On Dec. 6, 2019, we announced that we would implement the electronic registration process for the fiscal year 2021 (FY 2021) H-1B cap. Read More

H-1B Visa Application Process

The H-1B visa (or “Specialty Occupation” visa) is one of the most popular temporary worker visas, used for those in professional or specialty occupations. Read More

Total Cost Of a H-1B Visa

The sponsoring company/employer is required to pay the H-1B fees. As per the changes in 2016, if an employer with 50 or more employees, Read More



What is an I-94?

The I-94 is the Arrival/Departure Record Card that the United States government uses to keep track of the arrivals and departures of foreign nationals. Read More

Request for Evidence (RFE)

Request for Evidence (or RFE) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be scary. But don’t panic. Read More

H-4 Visa

The H4 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued by the USCIS to the spouse and minor children of the H1B, H1B1, H2A, H2B or H3 visa holders. Read More

B-1 : Business Visitor Visa

The B-1 visa is for visitors to the U.S. for business purposes including: consulting with clients or business associates, conferences or seminars,... Read More

B-2 : Tourist Visa

The B-2 visa is for individuals visiting the U.S. temporarily for pleasure, tourism or to visit family or friends. Read More

H1B Visa: What is a Specialty Occupation?

The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant work visa which will admit to the United States to perform services in a “specialty occupation”. Read More

H1B to Green Card Process

H1B Visa holders can apply for permanent residency i.e. Green Card on completion of 6 year limit. One of the best advantages of the H-1B visa is... Read More

Green Card Process

A United States Permanent Resident Card, most commonly called a green card, allows a non-U.S. citizen to legally live in the United States for an indefinite period of time. Read More

What is a priority date?

What does priority date mean? One of the largest factors that goes into green card processing times is the priority date. Read More

U.S Citizen through Naturalization Process

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress. Read More

3 popular ways to get a U.S. Green Card

A United States Permanent Resident Card, most commonly called a green card, allows a non-U.S. citizen to legally live in the United States for an indefinite period of time. Read More

Ways To Become a U.S Citizen

Being a citizen of the United States comes with many benefits, and the Citizenship is most important immigration benefit that USCIS can grant. Read More

Process of getting an Employer Sponsored Green Card

Current U.S. immigration law provides several paths for foreign workers to enter the United States for employment purposes on a temporary or permanent basis. Read More

Immigration Resources

Please find below few Immigration Resources and useful links. Read More

Difference Between U.S. Visa, Green Card and Citizenship

Generally Visas are often confused with green cards and U.S. citizenship. Both permanent residents (green card holders) and U.S. citizens have many of the same rights, such as the ability.. Read More

Most common types of Nonimmigrant visas

Non-immigrant visas enable temporary works and visitors to enter the U.S. for a specific period, for the purpose related to their non-immigrant classifications. Please find below the list of few most common types of non-immigrant classifications... Read More

Difference Between Naturalization And Citizenship

Naturalization is a process for foreign nationals who become US citizens through the naturalization process. Citizenship is issued to an individual who was born out of the country to US citizen parents. Read More

USCIS Overview

The USCIS is a U.S. government agency and responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities. Read More