Premium Processing Expanded to F-1 and STEM OPT Students

On March 6, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expanded premium processing to two additional categories, which are F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) OPT.

Overview

Effective immediately, USCIS will accept Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for F-1 students with a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Students must file under one of the following categories to be eligible:

• (c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT
• (c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT
• (c)(30)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for STEM students

Looking Ahead

Starting April 3, 2023, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests for students in the categories above who file Form I-907 along with Form I-765. Students can file Form I-907 online or by paper. Individuals who are filing electronically must first create an online account with USCIS.

USCIS will adjudicate premium processing cases for F-1 students seeking an OPT or STEM OPT extension within 30 calendar days.

Please visit the Envoy Global Resources Center for more immigration news and updates.

Envoy is pleased to provide you this information, which was prepared in collaboration with Natalie Zakarzecka, who is a  Managing Attorney  at Global Immigration Associates (GIA), one of the two independent U.S. law firms Envoy exclusively works with on the Envoy Platform (the “U.S. Law Firms”).