USCIS continues to expand its premium processing service, and this now includes work authorizations filed by F-1 students.
Students who have a pending I-765 application will have the option to file their work authorizations in Premium Processing beginning March 6, 2023. This includes 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.
USCIS will accept online filings of Form, I-907, Request for Premium Processing and continues to accept the form by mail. To file online, students will need to have a USCIS online account.
Starting April 3, students will be able to file I-907 concurrently with Form, I-765. However, unlike Premium processing for Forms I-129 and I-140, USCIS will only guarantee a 30-calendar day response for students filing I-765.
USCIS plans to expand Premium processing to Form I-539, Application to Extend/ Change Nonimmigrant Status. This is likely to happen in May.
The above changes will certainly help ease the burden of long wait times, at least for those willing to pay the Premium fee. If you have questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact PLG Partner, Chris Prescott at cprescott@patellegal.com.