On Monday, the United States announced premium processing of work authorisation applications for specific categories of international students, which aims to benefit Indian students coming to study in the US in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field.

US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) declared the premium processing of applications for Optional Practical Training (OPT) from international students in the STEM area or its extension. The premium processing commences March 6, a media release stated, adding that for some other classifications, it would start from April 3, 2023.

USCIS Director Ur M Jaddou said the availability of premium processing for particular F-1 students, in addition to the relaxation of online filing will facilitate the immigration experience for many international students. He said the ongoing expansion of online filing is a focus for USCIS as we continue to form operational efficiencies and boost access to the immigration system for stakeholders, petitioners, applicants, requestors, and those we serve.

A community leader figure fighting for fair immigration policies, Ajay Bhutoria has welcomed the USCIS announcement to extend premium processing to include certain F-1 students who are seeking OPT and STEM OPT extensions. The new online-filing practices for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, are now available to F-1 students seeking employment authorisation in the above classifications.

Ajay Bhutoria said this is great news for international students facing long wait times for their OPT approvals. USCIS's announcement will provide welcome relief to F-1 students seeking to gain employment authorisation in the US.

He added that USCIS will now take Form I-907 requests filed either through a paper form or online for certain F-1 students with a pending Form I-765. This includes those filing under post-completion OPT, pre-completion OPT, and 24-month extension of OPT for STEM education students.

Bhutoria said the new procedures would streamline the OPT approval procedure and deliver greater convenience to F-1 students. These efforts will help F-1 students get employment authorisation more quickly, allowing them to contribute to the United States economy and society.