USCIS Expands Premium Processing Eligibility to Certain F-1 OPT and STEM OPT Applications

Starting March 6, USCIS has started accepting Premium Processing requests (Form I-907) for F-1 students with pending I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications, if the student is applying for pre- or post-completion OPT or STEM OPT. Starting April 3, USCIS accept premium processing requests filed with their I-765 application. Premium Processing is and will be available for both online and paper I-765 applications for F-1 EAD applications.

The Premium Processing government fee is $1,500 for a guaranteed response on the application within 30 calendar days from when USCIS receives all initial evidence for the application.

USCIS plans to expand their Premium Processing services to I-539 applications for certain F-1 and J-1 status holders in May 2023.