A long-delayed H-1B extension case has highlighted the growing frustration many visa holders face while waiting for immigration decisions. One applicant recently shared concerns about the possibility of losing work authorisation after waiting nearly a year without a final outcome.
According to the applicant, the extension petition has remained under regular processing since June 16, 2025. After months without an update, the worker’s legal team reportedly attempted to upgrade the case to premium processing on May 5 in the hope of obtaining a faster decision.
However, the applicant claimed that the request was not accepted because the case had allegedly entered a “decision rendering” stage. According to the account, a second attempt to request premium processing reportedly resulted in the same response from the authorities.
The legal team then reportedly submitted a premium processing request through physical mail along with the required payment. The applicant stated that FedEx records showed the package was delivered on May 22, but claimed that USCIS had neither processed the payment nor formally accepted the request.
The worker further alleged that several attempts by their attorneys to contact the Vermont Service Center and submit follow-up inquiries have not produced any meaningful response. The lack of communication has reportedly added to the uncertainty surrounding the case.
The situation has become more urgent because the applicant is approaching the end of the 240-day employment authorisation period available while an extension petition remains pending. According to the worker, that period expires on May 31, raising concerns about the ability to continue working legally.
While processing delays have become a common concern among many Indian H-1B professionals, the applicant believes the absence of a response despite repeated efforts to expedite the matter has made the situation particularly stressful.
As immigration backlogs continue to affect employment-based visa holders, cases like this underscore the challenges faced by workers whose careers and legal work status depend on timely decisions from immigration authorities.
