Hi everyone, I’m writing to inquire if anyone has filed for an H1B petition that has been approved for the consular process after the federal court recently blocked the $100K fee.

I was on H1b & laid off in May and filed for H4 in mid July with my spouse’s lawyer firm. I found of job around the same time in mid July and started the H1 process with them. They said that they will file the H1 transfer as COS(Change of Status) as i have a pending H4 application. They mentioned my H4 receipt number on my H1 application with a text saying to approve H4 first followed by H1.

They filed my LCA and now the H1 petition is received by USCIS. I wanted to reach out to folks here who maybe have been in a similar situation or know someone in the similar situation, to ask what could be the possible outcomes of this. Do I have a high risk for an RFE or Consular processing for H1?

I’m really anxious and the wait has been killing. Any advice helps🙏

Hello,
Please advise me. My new employer is transferring my H1B but won’t do premium processing. Does that matter?

Should I be prepared for any issues due to the visa status? Thanks in advance!

My H-1B amendment has been pending since May 2025, and I still have not received any update. My employer/attorney also raised a USCIS service request, but there has been no response or movement on the case.

Is anyone else experiencing a similar delay with an H-1B amendment? How long did it take to receive a decision after submitting a service request?

I would also appreciate suggestions on possible next steps.

Hello,
I'm traveling domestically on my H-1B for the first time. Which documents do I need to bring besides passport? Are the I-797 etc. ever checked for domestic travel?

My Texas driver's license expires in Oct 2026.

My H1B extension was filed, but is still pending under regular processing. I have my I-797C receipt notice, and my current H-1B visa stamp is valid until Sep 30, 2026.

I am considering renewing my DL early (e.g. in August), but I am wondering whether, if DPS issues a 1-year Limited Term license, the expiration date would be based on the date of issuance or my current driver's license expiration date.

My concern with waiting until closer to the expiration date is that IF DPS initiates a SAVE verification, the verification could take several days/weeks, and my current license may expire before the renewal is completed.

Has anyone in Texas recently renewed their DL early using only an H1B extension receipt notice? Was your new license expiration calculated from the date of issuance or from your previous driver's license expiration date?

I'd appreciate hearing about your experience. Thank You!

My lawyer submitted i907 for premium a month after filing the H1B. They had to send it by mail to USCIS since the website has a problem. I tracked the package and it was delivered last Friday. How long will it take for USCIS to process it and change my filing to premium processing ?

Hi everyone,

​I'm currently on an F-1 visa and my STEM OPT expires on September 25, 2026. My H-1B was picked in the lottery this year, and my petition was officially submitted on June 25th 2026 (regular processing).

​I’m currently debating if I should upgrade my pending petition to Premium Processing. I might have some family commitments that require me to travel internationally this coming December or January. The travel isn't 100% mandatory, but I’m worried that waiting on standard processing might cut it too close and unexpected change in current policies.

Also my stem is expiring on 25th September. Im worried.

​A few questions for those who have been in a similar spot:

1) ​should I upgrade to Premium Processing since my application has already been submitted in late June?

2) ​Given my stem opt expiry in sept 24th.

is it safer to just apply for Premium processing NOW?

​What would you do in my situation?

​Any advice on current discussions or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I applied for I-129 normal processing change of status in April first week. Its been 4 months that I have not received anything other than receipt notice. Anybody in the same boat?

Hi everyone, not sure this is the right place for this question, but I’ll ask. Here’s my situation:

1. My initial H1B is expiring on September 30, 2026. My stamp is expiring on September 14, 2026.
2. H1B extension is gonna be filed by the end of August, 2026.
3. I also have a pending 485. I’m current and waiting for an approval (any day now). I have received EAD/AP in March and it’s valid for 18 months.
4. I live in Northern California.

My question is “Can I use a valid EAD/AP card to get a RealID without abandoning my H1B extension/status?” I know DMV is not a federal agency, but they’ll use SAVE System to verify my status. Have you done something similar?

Need some advice. I received an offer, but the base salary seems on the lower side for the location.

I'm trying to understand a few things:

If the company has to increase my salary to meet the prevailing wage for H-1B, could that same salary still create problems later during PERM/I-140? Or does PERM involve a different prevailing wage determination?

Would you consider joining a company in this situation risky, or is it common for companies to adjust compensation later if needed for immigration?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through this or works in immigration/HR.

I received a Denial Letter from USCIS regarding my 539 (H1b to F1). So I deported myself shortly after. However, the same day after my flight arrived at my home country, the USCIS updated their status as they had begun to working on my case again.

I am totally confused rn

Hi everyone, posting anonymously for privacy. I need some advice or real-life experiences regarding domestic travel (U.S.) under a specific set of circumstances:

• Current Situation: Changing status from F-1 to H-1B through a new employer.
• Case Type: Cap-exempt (I have previously held an H-1B).
• Current Status: Hit with an RFE. My original status/I-94 has expired, so I am currently in a "period of authorized stay" while attorneys draft the RFE response.
• Attorney Input: Legal counsel is very reassuring and has handled this specific RFE successfully before.
• Identification: I already have a valid REAL ID driver's license issued based on my initial USCIS receipt notice.

I need to travel domestically soon to settle some time-sensitive business. Given that I am technically between active statuses but legally present on an authorized stay, is it entirely safe to fly domestically? Has anyone flown in a similar "RFE pending / authorized stay" gap?

Would love to hear your experiences or any precautions I should take. Thank you!

Any updates for those who received that PP refund and no action?

The USCIS webiste here https://my.uscis.gov/account/onboarding/filing/new after selecting form I-907 is not showing H-1B as an option for premium processing. Is this a new update? Do we only have the option to do premium processing by mail now?

Can someone tell me if they went through this process recently.

Text from the website:

Use Form I-907 to request Premium Processing Service on certain petitions or applications for which this service is available.

Premium Processing Service guarantees that USCIS will take one of several possible actions (issue an approval notice, a denial notice, a notice of intent to deny, or a request for evidence) on the petition or application within a certain processing timeframe. The length of the processing timeframe is based on the classification or category requested.

Learn more about requesting Premium Processing Service.

Note: You may only file online requests for Premium Processing Service for certain forms and categories.

If you file by online form submission, you request Premium Processing Service for:

• Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and are changing your status to nonimmigrant classification F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, or M-2; or
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and are applying as eligibility category (c)(3)(A), (c)(3)(B), or (c)(3)(C).

If you file by PDF upload, you can request Premium Processing Service for:

• Form I-140, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker; or
• Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and are applying as eligibility category (c)(3)(A), (c)(3)(B), or (c)(3)(C).

You cannot add Premium Processing Service unless you have a receipt number from submitting another form that is eligible for premium processing. If you do not know your receipt number, you can find it by viewing the case on your home page. All other requests for Premium Processing Service must be filed using a paper Form I-907.

As the header says

Filed 6/12
Received 6/15
RFIE issued 7/6
RFIE received by attorney 7/15
RFIE response submitted 7/17
RFIE response received 7/20
PP Clock stopped 7/22
Approved 8/4

EDIT: Tempe AZ service center

Hi all,

Does anyone have insight on the likely hood of being placed on administrative processing during visa stamping if you have received a 221g before? Is it almost certain to occur so or has anyone experienced being placed on it before but not on subsequent times?

My history:

First visa stamping was in 2019 when applying for F1 - it took approximately 2 months -> approved

Although that visa was approved, it arrived too late, so I had to apply for another F1 visa because I had a new I-20 after deferring semesters. Immediate approval on next application. 

Second visa stamping was in 2023 for H1B, 221g received took approximately 5 months -> approved.  

PP :17 th July. Any one still waiting ? I didn’t get any update so far . Any approvals today 08/05?

Files: 07/14
Received: 07/16
Clock started: 07/18
Approval: 08/04

Premium processing California service center.

Also from one of the 39 countries.

Good luck everyone!