Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of premium processing for change of status applications where individuals are looking to change to F, M, or J nonimmigrant status.
Premium processing will be implemented in the following phases:
- Beginning June 13, USCIS will accept premium processing requests, filed via paper form or online, for applicants seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 status, who have a pending Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
- Beginning June 26, USCIS will accept premium processing requests, filed either via paper form or online, for applicants seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 status, when filed together with Form I-539.
A few notes about this change:
- Premium processing is only available for change of status requests at this time.
- Applicants must submit their biometrics before premium processing can begin. Even if USCIS accepts an applicant’s Form I-907 and accompanying fees, the time limit for premium processing will not start running until the applicant and all co-applicants included on the Form I-539 submit their biometrics.
Please reach out to a CYA attorney with any questions about this new expansion to premium processing.