DHS wants to change premium processing deadlines for H-1B, OPT and green card petitions

The Department of Homeland Security has sent the White House a proposed rule titled 'Amending the Premium Processing Timeframe' (RIN 1615-AD25), logged with the Office of Management and Budget on October 13. The rule could change how long USCIS has to act on premium processing requests - the paid fast track employers use for H-1B and I-140 petitions and that students use for OPT work permits. The text is not public, so it is unclear whether the current 15, 30 and 45 business-day windows would get longer, shorter, or simply be counted differently. Nothing changes for filings made today. Premium fees range from $1,780 to $2,965 since March 2026. A related DHS proposal to end deference on worker extensions is projected to add about 6,000 requests for evidence a year, and each one stops the premium clock until the employer responds. Source: https://immigration-analytics.com/2026/10/14/dhs-sends-white-house-a-plan-to-change-premium-processing-deadlines-a-clock-uscis-has-already-reset-more-than-once/

• H1B