u/nene-thopu2

Timeline (2026, premium processing, filed online):

- Apr 27: H-1B transfer filed

- Apr 30: RFE #1, related to my pending B-2 application

- May: Responded to the RFE on my B-2 application

- Jun: Responded to H-1B RFE #1

- B-2 got denied, so I went back to India

- RFE #2 on the H-1B asking for the $100k fee (since I'm now outside the US, the petition can only be approved for consular notification)

- Fee got blocked by the courts (First Circuit refused to reinstate it on Jul 24)

- Aug 5: RFE #2 response filed

- Aug 12: Status changed to "Premium Processing Clock Was Stopped"

- Since then: nothing. Status hasn't moved, and my attorneys say they never received any notice from USCIS.

Questions:

1. Anyone else whose clock got stopped after an RFE response on a fee-affected case, with no notice? Did you eventually get approved, and how long did it take?

2. Has anyone gotten a real answer from the premium processing unit about why the clock was stopped, or had any luck with a CIS Ombudsman request?

3. If you were approved for consular notification after a B-2 denial, how did your visa interview in India go?

TL;DR: H-1B transfer, B-2 denied, moved back to India, got a $100k fee RFE, responded Aug 5 after the fee was blocked. Clock stopped Aug 12 with no notice and no movement in 8 weeks. Looking for anyone in the same boat.

Posting it here as o1 subreddit has very few members

Has anyone from India booked their consular interview before their petition was approved?

My O-1A petition was filed with the Vermont Service Center on September 17 under premium processing, so the 15-day deadline is approaching. Interview slots in India are heavily backlogged, and my job offer requires me to join before November 15.

I already have my receipt number and job description. Is it advisable to book the interview now, before approval? And do I need any additional information to schedule it?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Posting it here as o1 subreddit has very few members

Has anyone from India booked their consular interview before their petition was approved?

My O-1A petition was filed two weeks ago under premium processing, so the 15-day deadline is approaching. Interview slots in India are heavily backlogged, and my job offer requires me to join before November 15.

Is it advisable to book the interview now, before approval? And do I need any additional information to schedule it?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Posting it here as o1 subreddit has very few members

Has anyone from India booked their consular interview before their petition was approved?

My O-1A petition was filed with the Vermont Service Center on September 17 under premium processing, so the 15-day deadline is approaching. Interview slots in India are heavily backlogged, and my job offer requires me to join before November 15.

I already have my receipt number and job description. Is it advisable to book the interview now, before approval? And do I need any additional information to schedule it?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Has anyone from India booked their consular interview before their petition was approved?

My O-1A petition was filed with the Vermont Service Center on September 17 under premium processing, so the 15-day deadline is approaching. Interview slots in India are heavily backlogged, and my job offer requires me to join before November 15.

I already have my receipt number and job description. Is it advisable to book the interview now, before approval? And do I need any additional information to schedule it?

Any help is greatly appreciated!