US Extends Premium Work Authorization Processing, Relieving Foreign STEM Students
The US announces that some international students will continue to get priority work authorization processing.
According to the official notification, premium processing
will start on March 6 and certain other categories on April 3. The process of
opening a USCIS online account is free.
US Announces Extending Premium Work Authorization Processing for Certain Foreign Students
The extension of priority processing for work permits
for specific groups of overseas students has just been announced by the US. The
decision is anticipated to help many Indian students who travel to the US to
study in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) disciplines,
according to a statement from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
"US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced
today the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking
Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science, technology,
engineering, and math (STEM) OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765,
Application for Employment Authorization, and wish to request a premium
processing upgrade," according to the statement.
The USCIS has established deadlines for submitting, and
the premium processing for some F-1 students will take place in stages. The
start date for premium processing is March 6, while April 3rd is the start date
for several other categories. Students who want premium processing are urged by
the USCIS not to submit their paperwork before to these dates.
The USCIS has also made it clear that F-1 students in
these categories may now submit Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing
Service, online. Yet, the USCIS is still willing to accept this form by mail in
its most recent paper format.
"The provision of premium processing for select F-1
students, in addition to the simplicity of online filing, will expedite the
immigration experience for a great many overseas students," said USCIS
Director Ur M. Jaddou.
Creating a USCIS online account is free and comes with a
number of conveniences, such as the ability to send the USCIS to secure email
messages and reply to Requests for Evidence online. "Applicants who
previously filed a paper Form I-765 and wish to file Form I-907 online to
request premium processing should reference the USCIS Account Access Notice
they received for the Online Access Code and details on how to link their
paper-filed cases to their online account, or their will be no way to file Form
I-907 online and they will need to file a paper Form I-907 with the Chicago
lockbox," states the USCIS.
According to the statement, USCIS is extending premium
processing in a gradual manner for some overseas students as part of its
efforts to streamline the immigration process and lessen administrative costs.
The USCIS has also made it clear that premium processing
does not ensure Form I-765 approval and does not speed up Form I-539,
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, processing.
The US economy benefits greatly from the growth of
international students in many fields, especially STEM. The expansion of
premium processing for work permission is a positive step that will make it
easier for international students to access job openings. This is crucial for
individuals who wish to stay in the US after finishing their studies.
International students are urged to periodically check the
USCIS website for updates on its programs and services as the agency has said
that it will continue to examine and improve its rules and processes to better
meet the requirements of these students.
It's a good thing that more overseas students who fall
into specified categories will now be eligible for premium processing for work
permission; this will especially help students who are studying STEM. We
applaud the USCIS's efforts to improve the effectiveness and relieve the
pressures on the entire immigration system, and we anticipate seeing further
advancements in the future.
