US announces ‘premium processing’ for foreign students in certain categories

Washington: US announces ‘premium processing’ of work authorization applications for certain categories of international students, benefiting Indian students coming to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects in the US is likely to. According to the press release, ‘US Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) has announced ‘Premium Processing’ of applications for ‘Optional Practical Training’ in STEM or STEM OPT Extension from international students.

According to the release, the ‘premium processing’ will start from March 6. In some other categories, it will start from April 3. USCIS Director Ur M Joddu said that apart from easing the online application for F-1 students, it will also help immigration for many international students. Community leader Ajay Bhutoria, a voice for fair immigration policies, welcomes USCIS’s announcement to expand ‘Premium Processing’ to include certain F-1 students seeking OPT and STEM OPT extensions.