On June 12, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of premium processing for applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status.
What is Premium Processing?
Premium processing for the above status changes is a fee-based service that expedites the application processing to within 30 days of receipt. The fee is currently $1,750, and requires the submission of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. This is in addition to regular I-539 application fees.
When will it be available for change-of-status applicants to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1 or J-2 nonimmigrant status?
- Beginning June 13, 2023, USCIS will accept I-907 requests filed for applicants with pending I-539 applications (i.e., I-539 was submitted before this date).
- Beginning June 26, 2023, USCIS will accept I-907 requests filed with I-539 applications (i.e., I-539 and I-907 are submitted together from this date forward).
NOTE: The I-907 must be submitted the same way as the I-539 (i.e., both mailed in paper form, or both submitted online).
For complete details, read the full USCIS announcement with related links here.