Processing Timeline
The processing time at USCIS for a new or extension H-1B1 petition is no longer 30-120 days. Currently the estimated processing times at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are 120-160 days for a standard application. The estimated processing time at USCIS for a “premium processing” request is 21-30 days.
Careful and timely planning must take place in requesting the processing of an H-1B1 petition from OISS. OISS recommends submitting H-1B1 processing requests at least 6-8 months prior to the desired beginning date of employment. Petitions submitted with the “premium processing fee” should be submitted at least 2-3 months prior to the desired date of employment. WSU as a non-profit, higher education institution is exempt from the H-1B1 quota.
Fees
The standard processing fee for an H-1B1 is $320.00. An additional $500.00 “Fraud Prevention Fee” is required for all initial and change of employer H-1B1 petitions. This fee is not required for H-1B1 extension or amendment petitions. There are no exemptions from the $500.00 fee. If “premium processing” is requested, there is an additional $1,000.00 fee. All fee checks should be payable to USCIS. Separate checks are required for each fee.
Page Updated: January 8, 2008
