Premium Processing Service Expanded to Certain F-1 Students Seeking OPT or STEM OPT Extensions

March 8, 2023

On March 6, 2023, USCIS announced the latest expansion of premium processing in its continued effort to streamline the American immigration system and reduce processing backlogs. As the Service continues its phased approach to premium processing expansion, this latest development benefits certain F-1 students seeking to extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT work authorization.  

As of March 6, 2023, USCIS will now accept Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for F-1 students if:  

1. • They have a currently pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; and
   • They are filing for work authorization under one of the following categories:
     • (c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT;
     • (c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; or
     • (c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for STEM students.  

Effective April 3, 2023, USCIS will start accepting Form I-907 for F-1 students in one of the above categories if Form I-907 is filed at the same time as Form I-765.  

Please note that USCIS will reject any requests for premium processing that do not meet the dates and parameters set out above.  

Applicants may file these forms online, after creating a USCIS online account, or in paper. However, if Form I-765 was previously filed in paper and the applicant wishes to file Form I-907 online, they must reference the USCIS Account Access Notice received after setting up their online account in order to link their paper-filed cases to their online account.  

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