USCIS announced that as of March 6, 2023, it will now accept premium processing requests for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) as well as for F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions. Please note, this only applies to F-1 students who already have an application pending for I-765 (Employment Authorization). USCIS will also allow individuals with pending STEM extensions to upgrade to premium processing.
These requests can be filed either by paper form or online. To file Form I-907 online, the applicant must create a USCIS account. Using the USCIS website, the applicant can submit forms, pay fees, and even track their application status. This is part of a larger effort on the part of USCIS to move towards paperless applications.
Beginning April 3, USCIS will accept premium processing requests, filed either via paper form or online, for F-1 students in the above categories when filed together with the application for employment authorization (Form I-765). Students in this category should not request premium processing upgrades before that date.
Contact an attorney at Minsky, McCormick & Hallagan, P.C. if you have questions about the new premium processing rule.
The material contained in this alert does not constitute direct legal advice and is for informational purposes only. An attorney-client relationship is not presumed or intended by receipt or review of this presentation. The information provided should never replace informed counsel when specific immigration-related guidance is needed.
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