As GT previously reported, this year USCIS received over 236,000 H-1B cap-subject petitions during the filing period, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. USCIS has not released the data for how many of the petitions were filed for Premium Processing, but stated that it would begin the processing of such petitions no later than May 16, 2016.  USCIS appears to be on schedule, as GT has received a significant number of receipts for cases that were premium processed.

On April 20, 2016, USCIS released an alert stating that it will use regular mail to send out Premium Processing approval notices during the first two weeks of Premium Processing adjudication of cap-subject petitions.  Pre-paid mailers, such as FedEx and UPS, will not be used by USCIS (even if one was enclosed in the initial filing) during this two-week period.

GT recommends keeping abreast of updates regarding the H-1B cap season by visiting the USCIS H-1B Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Cap Season web page.