Published: March 13, 2023
F-1 students may find legal employment in the United States through Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT). Through the OPT program, eligible students could request twelve months (12) of employment authorization while completing their educational programs and after. In comparison, STEM OPT allows some STEM graduates to extend their OPT employment authorization for another forty-eight (48) months after completing their degrees.
OPT and STEM OPT Premium Processing
The premium processing service allows immigrants to expedite their visa application by paying a fee. This service is exclusive only to some visa categories. For F-1 visa applicants to be eligible, they should be students seeking OPT or STEM OPT extensions with pending applications for employment authorization.
Set Up a USCIS Online Account
Interested applicants should first create a USCIS online account. This account is a convenient and secure way for F-1 students to submit forms, pay fees, and check the status of their applications.
Note that setting up a USCIS online account does not require payment. The USCIS will send an official notice to applicants if they should pay specific fees.
Hasten Your OPT and STEM OPT Processing with Immigration Lawyers
The option for expedited processing is relatively new for OPT applicants. It is best to work with immigration lawyers to avoid committing procedural errors and risking the approval of your application. ALG Lawyers works closely with various government agencies to ensure our recommendations and practices align with the latest standards.
Source: https://www.aila.org/infonet/uscis-announces-premium-processing-and-new-online
(Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers. Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from a qualified attorney based on their individual circumstances. Thank you.)