More good news for F-1 OPT and STEM OPT international students! U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced expanding premium processing is available for certain F-1 international students who are enrolled in optional practical training (OPT) and F-1 students who want STEM OPT extensions. The premium processing will be released in phases. In announcing the new premium process, USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou said:
“The availability of premium processing for certain F-1 students, in addition to the ease of online filing, will streamline the immigration experience for a great many international students. The ongoing expansion of online filing is a priority for USCIS as we continue to create operational efficiencies and increase access to the immigration system for stakeholders, applicants, petitioners, requestors, and those we serve.”
To apply for premium processing, students must submit a separate I-907 application form by paper or online with an additional $1,500 fee. This guarantees the processing of an OPT application within 30 calendar days. At that time, applicants will be issued an approval notice, a denial notice, a notice of intent to deny or a request for evidence.
USCIS said it would reject premium processing requests for a pending Form I-765 if it is received before March 6. And they will reject any premium processing request for an initial or concurrently filed Form I-765 that is received before April 3.
Online Filing Form I-907
USCIS has also launched online Form I-907 filing for F-1 students in OPT and OPT STEM categories. But they will continue to accept the latest paper version of this form by mail.
To address the immigration backlog and the shortage of specialty workers, U.S. employers and universities want to attract more nonimmigrant students and more F-1 visa students earning bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees to help the U.S. economic recovery.
STEM OPT programs and eligibility requirements for F-1 students have changed considerably in the past 12 months. It can be confusing for international students to apply for and receive their student visas while attending courses. Mario Godoy and the other experienced immigration attorneys at the Godoy Law Office can help. We can assess your situation and advise you on your best options. Such as, applying for a student visa, your eligibility for premium processing and how to apply for an expedited OPT visa when they become available in April.
The experienced immigration lawyers at Godoy Law Office can help international students obtain and extend visas, assess your situation and advise you on your best options to qualify for a student visa. Call today at 630-912-0322.
Immigration Attorney Mario Godoy has years of experience guiding clients with immigration issues through the immigration process along with guiding clients through the criminal case. Godoy focuses on family-based immigration law, business immigration law, removal defense, and criminal defense representation of immigrants. A criminal charge or conviction can be devastating to your immigration case. With over a decade of immigration law experience and memories of family members who were deported due to bad legal advice, Godoy is committed to helping other immigrant families receive the legal justice they deserve. As a legal entrepreneur who practices immigration law, criminal law, estate and probate law, and running two successful law firms, Mario Godoy understands the importance of keeping families together and making a home and future in America.
