Premium Processing Now Available for Pending OPT Applications

USCIS will now accept Form I-907 premium processing requests for F-1 students with a pending Form I-765 employment authorization document (EAD) application if the student is filing for pre- or post-completion OPT, or for a STEM OPT extension. 

Beginning on April 3, 2023, USCIS will accept premium-processing requests when Form I-907 is filed with a Form I-765 employment authorization application.

The premium processing fee is $1,500, and the premium processing timeframe is 30 calendar days after USCIS receives all prerequisites for the adjudication.  USCIS will accept both online and paper filings.

If you are considering paying for premium processing, first check estimated processing times for normal processing: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/ to determine the benefit of the increased cost.

You can also consult an International Center International Student/Scholar Advisor if you are considering paying for premium processing. Although USCIS is currently estimating longer processing times, the International Center has observed that USCIS is currently (as of March 2023) processing OPT applications in about one month.

For more information:  USCIS Announces Premium Processing; New Online-Filing Procedures for Certain F-1 Students Seeking OPT or STEM OPT Extensions