USCIS has reinstated its H-1B premium processing for J-1 Conrad 30 physicians as well as interested government agencies (IGAs). The Form I-907 request for premium processing can now be filed for H-1B petitions based on the Conrad 30 and IGA designations. The Conrad 30 program allows for certain physicians to work in medically underserved areas (MUAs) and health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) in H-1B status after completing their J-1 program and waives their two-year foreign residence requirement of INA Section 212(e). The two-year requirement bars the J-1 worker from obtaining H-1B status or legal permanent resident until he or she has served two years in his her home country after completing the J-1 program.
USCIS also announced that it will resume premium processing for other H-1B petitions as its workloads permit.