USCIS Pauses Premium Processing After RFE
Many H1B applicants trust Premium Processing for faster results. But one recent case highlights how this option may no longer offer the reliability it once promised. After upgrading to Premium Processing on July 10, the applicant received a Request for Evidence (RFE) on July 21.
The response to the RFE was submitted promptly, yet the applicant noticed something odd. USCIS updated the status to “RFE Response Received,” then quickly switched it to “Premium Processing Clock Was Stopped.” The final update simply said, “Case Is Still Being Processed By USCIS.”
In short, the 15-day clock was paused, leaving applicants confused and anxious. Instead of providing a clear resolution or next steps, USCIS issued a vague notice that offered no timeline for progress.
This situation is not isolated. Other applicants report a similar pattern — pay for Premium Processing, get hit with an RFE, respond, then face indefinite delays. The system that once guaranteed speed now feels like a premium in name only.
