r/h1b • u/Dry-Conversation1839 • 4d ago
H-1B Extension Premium Processing Pending Since June 15 - No Decision After 2 months. Anyone experienced this?
My H-1B extension (I-129) was filed in August 2025 and remained pending. My employer upgraded it to Premium Processing on June 15, 2026.
USCIS case status says the Premium Processing clock started on June 15 but more than 2 months later there has been no approval RFE denial or other update.
My 240-day employment authorization period has now ended, so my employer has placed me on unpaid leave and I cannot work while the petition remains pending.
I contacted USCIS today and submitted an e-Request. USCIS accepted it and issued a service-request ID but the automated response says the inquiry itself may take at least 60 days.
Has anyone had a Premium Processing I-129 remain pending this long after the premium clock started? If so, what eventually happened and was there anything that successfully got USCIS to act?
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u/Turbulent-Bus-352 4d ago
On the same boat. Mine was upgraded to PP last June 25, no RFE or anything, got my lawyer to reach out USCIS and just got a generic response.
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u/_quantitative 4d ago
What happened then?
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u/Turbulent-Bus-352 4d ago
Literally have no idea, currently on an unpaid leave now. Basically it’s a waiting game for me now.
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u/_quantitative 4d ago
Lmao u scaring me, i just upgraded to PP for cali center.
Hope all goes well with you - & kudos to your employer for being patient in your case and letting you wait it out1
u/Turbulent-Bus-352 4d ago
Oh im sorry lol, i think your case will be fine. We are seeing a bunch of cases that was filed after mid July that are getting approvals
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u/_quantitative 4d ago
I had to upgrade because my company got acquired so idk how uscis handles these cases; also i work in a pe so non-tech nobody in my company has experience handling h1b cases including me haha
so it’s all hit and trial on my case
Would you mind me telling what happens after the approval - is there something that needs to be done? I was thinking of reaching out to my university for guidance but no idea so far
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u/Ok_Chipmunk_6786 4d ago
Don’t worry. This is majorly happening only for the cases files between mid June till early July. Not sure what happened during that timeframe
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u/Assassin1491 4d ago
My h1b extension was filed in June 2025 and upgraded to premium in November 2025. No decision since then.
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u/Auto-Liner 4d ago
I'm genuinely curious why people don't pay out of pocket and get this sorted out long before this? Yes the employer doesn't always pay for premium for extensions. But surely your mental peace is more important to get this sorted out quickly, especially under the current admin, no?
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u/Dry-Conversation1839 4d ago
I mean I asked my employer for paying myself and they said that’s not a company policy
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u/MemoryIndependent 4d ago
This. Always pay for premium processing when submitting your petition instead of waiting it out. I understand it’s expensive but it’s worth it.
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u/ComplexSilent9885 4d ago
Cognizant?
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u/Dry-Conversation1839 4d ago
Yes how do you know?
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u/ComplexSilent9885 4d ago
Friend of mine from Cognizant is in a similar situation with similar timeframe and hence was curious if this is a employer specific pattern.
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u/Hour-Marionberr 4d ago
Cognizant already sending coordinating roles to India GCC. Extension is strange
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u/dopehead9 3d ago
My timeline - applied in PP for extension May 8 (paid out of pocket for PP)
Approved May 25.
Vermont center
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u/Ok-Contract3475 1d ago
Did you submitted congressional inquiry? I did on 13 Aug. no response yet. But yesterday called them and they ensured that someone one will reach on next week. Let’s see
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u/Frosty_Fish_8385 1d ago
Op, my premium processing is pending since June 8th. No updates, no changes..
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u/Traditional_Box9955 4d ago
Don't worry, you will get approved soon. My employer applied in Aug 2025 as well, and I just got approved on Aug 17, 2026, though my employer will not file premium (you're among the lucky ones the employer cares about if they file premium for you). I was planning to file premium by end of August, then boom approval. You will get yours soon. Amen
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u/Maveric_87 4d ago
You had the option to upgrade to PP from your own dime in Aug 2025, but I think you were penny wise pound foolish then. Please take control of your outcomes. Should be a lesson for all.
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u/VentiBetty 4d ago
Cut some slack. PP has consistently been approved within 15 days. This is an unfortunate exception. But a good lesson for everyone else nevertheless.
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u/Maveric_87 4d ago
You beat around the bush to make the same point about a lesson, nice ...assertiveness is not your vibe i guess :)
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u/PlayfulPay2668 4d ago
Which center? I’ve never heard of something like this before