On January 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced two significant updates to its premium processing expansion plan: (1) implementation of premium processing for all EB-1 Multinational Executive and Manager and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) categories and (2) a future expansion of premium processing for F-1 Students Seeking OPT and STEM OPT applications and for certain Students and Exchange Visitors.

 Key Dates for the Premium Processing Expansion Phases

• In March, USCIS will expand premium processing to certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions with a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

• In April, USCIS will expand premium processing to F-1 students seeking OPT and STEM OPT extensions who are filing an initial Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

• USCIS stated that it would announce the specific dates that the expansion will take place for each of these F-1 categories in February.

• In May, USCIS anticipates expanding premium processing for certain student and exchange visitors with a pending Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status application.

• In June, USCIS anticipates expanding premium processing for certain student and exchange visitors who are filing an initial Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status application.

This new expansion of premium processing should not result in increased processing times for cases filed under regular processing. The present expansions are part of a broader comprehensive USCIS plan to make premium processing services available to additional form types, increase efficiency, reduce backlogs, and provide relief to foreign nationals affected by processing delays.