US F1 Visa Students Soon Eligible for Premium Processing Services

Recently The United States (US) embassy and consulates in India announced the issue of nearly 1,25,000 student visas in 2022, registering an all-time high. To further expedite the process of visas for international students, the US government has released details for quicker visas.

The Biden Administration has announced plans to increase the premium processing of several green card and visa categories, particularly those related to the training of international students. According to the official reports, all international students with an F1 Visa will soon get the opportunity to benefit from the premium visa processing services. 

US Citizenship and Immigration Services said that it is a part of efforts being made to increase efficiency and decrease burdens on the overall legal immigration system.

From March 2023, the premium services would be available to eligible students with a pending form I-765 Application for Employment Authorisation. Moreover, from April 2023, the USCIS is providing an extension of premium processing services seeking OPT and STEM OPT with an initial form I-765.

“In April, we will expand premium processing to F-1 students seeking OPT and F-1 students seeking STEM OPT extensions who are filing an initial Form I-765,” USCIS said.

“We recommend expanding premium processing services, giving applicants the option to pay between $2,500 ( ₹2,02,496) to expedite their applications and get their cases adjusted within 45 days in a phased approach,” as stated by the presidential advisory commission.