Recently, USCIS officially announced that starting from March 6, 2023, it will provide premium processing services for F-1 students applying for OPT EAD cards and extensions, phased in by situation!
Of course, premium processing is not free. The premium processing fee for F-1 OPT applications and extensions is $1,500, and USCIS promises to provide a decision within 30 calendar days.
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USCIS: This will improve the immigration experience for a large number of F-1 students.
International students: I think you just want to make more money from us!
However, this is still good news for the international student community.
It's worth noting that during the Trump administration, restricting or eliminating OPT, including STEM OPT, was always on the regulatory agenda. This led to countless international students' OPT applications being delayed for more than half a year, and ultimately they failed to receive their EAD cards and lost the opportunity to work in the U.S.
After Biden took office, USCIS announced reform measures including premium processing for F-1 OPT to improve the efficiency of the immigration system, reduce processing backlogs, and ensure fair and efficient services for applicants and petitioners.
Allowing premium processing for OPT applications can be said to give OPT applicants a new option.
Specific Premium Processing Application Requirements for OPT
Starting March 6, 2023, USCIS will begin accepting premium processing requests for the following F-1 OPT cases that have already been submitted and are being processed:
(A) — Pre-Completion OPT
(B) — Post-Completion OPT
(C) — 24-Month STEM OPT Extension
Starting April 3, 2023, USCIS will begin accepting these F-1 students in categories A through C to submit Form I-907 for premium processing at the same time as filing Form I-765.
Premium processing requests submitted for pending I-765 applications before March 6, 2023, and premium processing requests for first-time or concurrently filed I-765 applications before April 3, 2023, will all be rejected by USCIS.
Other Notes on OPT Premium Processing
Creating a USCIS Account
To submit Form I-907 online for OPT premium processing, applicants must first create a USCIS online account.
Account creation is free and can be used to submit forms, pay fees, and track the status of any pending cases.
Linking Online Account with Paper Cases
Applicants who have already submitted a paper Form I-765 and wish to submit Form I-907 online for premium processing should refer to the USCIS Account Access Notice they received to obtain the Online Access Code.
Link the paper case with the online account; otherwise, you will not be able to file the premium processing request online and will need to submit the paper Form I-907 to USCIS's Chicago Lockbox.
The address of the Chicago Lockbox is:
After Premium Processing, You May Not Receive a Final Decision
Also note that what you receive after 30 days may not be a final decision; the possible notices include:
Approval Notice
Denial Notice
Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
Request for Evidence (RFE)
Investigation for fraud or misrepresentation, etc.
If the applicant receives an RFE or a Notice of Intent to Deny, USCIS will have an additional 30 days to process the application after receiving the applicant's response.
Do International Students Really Need Premium Processing?
Under the Biden administration, the processing speed for OPT applications has returned to normal. Currently, 80% of applicants can receive their EAD card within 2 months, so whether to apply for premium processing depends on individual circumstances.
At present, for most international students, there is no particular need to pay an additional $1,500 for premium processing.
If there are special circumstances, you may consider premium processing.
How to Prepare Form I-765 for OPT Application
Finally, let's go over how to submit the OPT application, namely Form I-765, and what materials need to be prepared.
First, you can go to your school's official website and look for the official guide, which usually has very detailed steps.
Taking NYU as an example, first search for "NYU OPT Application" in a search engine, then enter the school's official guidance page:
The general application process is as follows:
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Prepare and scan application materials, including passport photos, I-94 arrival/departure records, I-20, transcripts, etc.
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Register for an official USCIS account
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Select Form I-765 and fill it out step by step; your school's official website will provide detailed instructions on the specific information to enter
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Submit the application to the U.S. government
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Confirm that the U.S. government has received your application and track its status
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Receive your EAD card and SSN (Social Security Number)
After receiving your EAD card, don't forget to double-check that your personal information is correct.
After finding a job, you also need to report employer information to your school in a timely manner.
Finally, we wish everyone success in their studies and a smooth OPT application process!
