USCIS Expands Premium Processing to Additional Categories

Phase 3 Rollout Details

In a major move to mitigate historic administrative backlogs, USCIS has officially expanded premium processing services to include additional categories of students and exchange visitors. This highly anticipated expansion is part of a broader strategy to modernize operations and reduce the unprecedented wait times that have plagued the agency since the pandemic.

Previously, premium processing—which guarantees a decision within 15 to 30 or 45 calendar days, depending on the form—was largely restricted to specific employment-based petitions. The lack of an expedited option for international students seeking critical work authorization has often led to lost job opportunities and significant financial hardship.

The new rules will allow certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions to request premium processing for their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

We remain committed to addressing delays and providing timely decisions to all applicants. This expansion is a crucial step in fulfilling our mandate to facilitate lawful immigration while maintaining national security.

The latest expansion targets specific Form I-765 categories. To ensure a smooth rollout, USCIS is implementing the expansion in phases. The first phase will apply exclusively to pending applications, allowing those who have been waiting the longest to immediately request the expedited service.

The subsequent phase will open premium processing for newly filed applications. However, USCIS has explicitly stated that they will monitor the impact of this expansion on their overall processing times. The agency retains the right to suspend the service if it begins to detrimentally affect the processing of non-premium applications.