In an effort to reduce the growing backlog of pending H-1B petitions, including those H-1B extensions nearing the 240 day limit when continued work authorization would end, USCIS announced today that it would temporarily suspend the use of premium processing in ALL H-1B cases, whether filed under the upcoming H-1B cap, or whether the filing is exempt from the H-1B cap, beginning April 3, 2017. USCIS estimates that the suspension will last for up to 6 months. More information is available here.