H1-B Visa Premium Processing Application Request Approved...when does 15 days start?

[Suze1 366]

Hello All...

 

A physician friend in India had their H1-B Visa Premium processing application request approved on June 8th.

Generally, premium processing involves/offers a 15-day processing turn-around, from what I gather.

 

The person has not interviewed yet.

 

So, a couple of questions arise, namely:

 

1) When does the clock start on the 15 days?

          At application request approval date?

          At Interview date?

          At some other date?

 

2) Anybody know if India is actually having face-to-face interviews for doctors with premium processing H1-B's yet?

 

3) Typically, how long might it take to get passport returned with the visa stamp, out of Delhi, these days?

 

4) Is covid delaying the visa stamping process?

 

Any thoughts/recent experiences out there?

 

Thanks.

 

Edited June 10, 2020 by Suze1

[jan22 3,018]

The premium processing timeline is only for USCIS to approve the H1 petition.  That is the only the first step in the process.  Once he receives the petition approval, he can start the visa process.  Unless the consulate is open for routine visa processing by then (which is highly doubtful), he will need to contact them and request emergency/expedited visa processing.

[Suze1 366]

@jan22... Thanks, Jan

[Suze1 366]

@jan22

Quick question - So, to what does the 15 days apply ....to the processing time for the petition at USCIS, or something else?

Thanks.

[milimelo 4,412]

3 minutes ago, Suze1 said:

@jan22

Quick question - So, to what does the 15 days apply ....to the processing time for the petition at USCIS, or something else?

Thanks.

Previous posted clearly stated 15 days applies to USCIS only. 

[Suze1 366]

Yep. Got it. Agreed. Just wanted to make sure. Question #1 answered. Thanks.

Edited June 10, 2020 by Suze1

[jan22 3,018]

28 minutes ago, Suze1 said:

@jan22

Quick question - So, to what does the 15 days apply ....to the processing time for the petition at USCIS, or something else?

Thanks.

It is 15 calendar days for USCIS to take action from the time they "properly" receive the petition (i.e., it is received at the correct address per the filing instructions).  It guarantees "an answer" within that time period -- which may or may not be an approval.  The premium processing decision can be an approval, a denial, a notice of intent to deny, a request for additional information, or the opening of an investigation for fraud/misrepresentation.  Any of those actions meet the required decision-making timeline criteria.  (The only penalty for not meeting the 15-day deadline is a refund of the premium processing fee, BTW.)  If they request additional information, a new 15-day time period will begin upon the receipt of the requested information.

 

Edited June 10, 2020 by jan22

[Suze1 366]

@jan22 Thanks for the excellent further explanation. Much appreciated.

(That is what I told my friend - That the approval only means that the application request/petition met minimum acceptance standards, and is only the first step. Also explained the whole RFE concept, etc.)

 

Six doctors in my friend's VA physician's program just got their petition approved last week.

Friend's petition was filed on May 21st and approved on June 8th....so 18 days. Not bad, for the USCIS part.

Now, waiting to hear what is happening in Delhi....interview-wise, at this point.

And yes, the friend (and VA lawyer) will do expedited, I am told.

Thanks again.

Edited June 10, 2020 by Suze1

[Suze1 366]

Friend also says - "The flights from Delhi to US opened up"...for this month.

[sad_postdoc 13]

12 minutes ago, Suze1 said:

Friend also says - "The flights from Delhi to US opened up"...for this month.

My understanding was all Indian consulates are closed. Any word on when it is likely to get a visa appointment?

[Just Paul 4,594]

4 minutes ago, sad_postdoc said:

My understanding was all Indian consulates are closed. Any word on when it is likely to get a visa appointment?

No but monitor the consulate's website.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

Not familiar with the exact steps for H1, would the petition filed fall under this?

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/update-on-h-and-j-visas-for-medical-professionals.html
 

Despite the worldwide suspension of routine visa services, U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services to the extent possible, given resource constraints and local government restrictions.  Medical professionals with an approved U.S. non-immigrant or immigrant visa petition (I-129 or I-140 with a current priority date, or similar) or a certificate of eligibility in an approved exchange visitor program (DS-2019), particularly those working to treat or mitigate the effects of COVID-19, should review the website of their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for procedures to request an emergency visa appointment.  

 

 

[Suze1 366]

@sad_postdoc @SusieQQQ @Paul&MaryYes, thanks.Yeah, friend will call them tomorrow....and see.

From what I read, in their case, being an H1-B physician with the VA, they have a chance at getting interviewed.

Hopefully will know more tomorrow.

Thanks, Guys!

Edited June 10, 2020 by Suze1

[sad_postdoc 13]

1 minute ago, Suze1 said:

@sad_postdoc @SusieQQQ Yes, thanks.Yeah, friend will call them tomorrow....and see.

From what I read, in their case, being an H1-B physician with the VA, they have a chance at getting interviewed.

Hopefully will know more tomorrow.

Thanks, Guys!

Ah I see - physician etc. specifically working with covid can get emergency appointment. Got it. Thank you! 

[Just Paul 4,594]

2 minutes ago, sad_postdoc said:

Ah I see - physician etc. specifically working with covid can get emergency appointment. Got it. Thank you! 

CDC can ask visas to be expedited regarding covid / covid research.