U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced yesterday the temporary suspension of premium processing services for all filings using form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-1/E-2 etc.) and those using Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (virtually all employment-based green card filings), effective immediately.

This is far more widespread, and far more uncommon, than the limited suspension announced just the other day for cap-subject H-1Bs which this announcement in fact supersedes. However, it isn’t surprising. USCIS will likely be moving to an entirely remote processing model at the service centers adjudicating these petitions, with an expected reduction in productivity.

USCIS will continue to process previously accepted premium processing cases within promised guidelines, but will accept no new premium filings.