On March 6, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of Premium Processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students STEM OPT (students enrolled in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees) who wish to obtain employment authorization documents (work authorization).

The Premium Processing fee is $1,500, with a 30-calendar day processing timeframe for a decision on the application. The 30-calendar timeframe applies when USCIS has received all necessary documentation appropriate for the case type. Premium Processing requires filing a separate Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, either online or by mail.

The  expansion  of Premium Processing requests for F-1 students will occur in two phases:

• Beginning March 6, 2023: USCIS will accept  Form I-907 requests, for certain F-1 students with a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, if they are filing under one of the following categories:
• (c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT;
• (c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and
• (c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for STEM students.

• Starting April 3, 2023,  USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests, filed either via paper form or online, for F-1 students in the above categories when filed together with Form I-765.
  

GC Ungo will be also monitoring the implementation of premium processing expansion for certain students and exchange visitors seeking to change into or from F-1 student or J-1 exchange visitor status on Form I-539:

• May 2023 – expansion to certain student and exchange visitors with pending Forms I-539
• June 2023 – expansion to certain students and exchange visitors filing initial Forms I-539