Premium Processing is Available for F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training

On March 6, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that premium processing would be expanded for F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions with a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Effective April 3, 2023, premium processing was expanded to also include initial filings of Form I-765 for OPT and STEM OPT, when filed together with Form I-907. Students may file their applications with premium processing via a paper application or online through their myUSCIS account.