The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has declared the expansion of premium processing for specific individuals filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. This expansion applies to those requesting a status change to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. These applicants will now have the option to submit Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, either online or in paper format.
The implementation of premium processing for these categories will be carried out in stages. Starting from June 13, applicants with a pending Form I-539 seeking a status change to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 status can file Form I-907 requests either paper or online. Then, beginning June 26, Form I-907 requests, filed with a Form I-539, can be submitted via paper or online.
Premium processing requests for a pending Form I-539 submitted before June 13 will be rejected, as well as premium processing requests filed together with a Form I-539 if received before June 26.
It is important to note that all applicants listed on Form I-539 must provide their biometrics before the premium processing can commence. Even if an applicant’s Form I-907 and associated fees are accepted, the time limit for premium processing will not begin until the applicant and all co-applicants on Form I-539 have submitted their biometrics, specifically for these categories.
Please be aware that USCIS reserves the right to reject Form I-907 and/or Form I-539 if submitted with another benefit request, including multiple Form I-907 requests.
When submitting Form I-907, it must be done in the same manner as Form I-539:
- If you mail a paper Form I-539, you must also mail a paper Form I-907.
- If you submit Form I-539 online, you must also submit Form I-907 online.
To file Form I-907 online, applicants must first create a USCIS online account, which offers a convenient and secure method for form submission, fee payment, and case tracking. Creating a USCIS online account is free of charge and provides an improved user experience compared to paper filing.
Only F-1, F-2, M-1, and M-2 students and J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors are eligible to file Form I-907 online. However, applicants filing a paper Form I-907 or any other USCIS form can still create a USCIS online account to track their case status and sign up for case notifications. For more information, please refer to the File Online page on the USCIS website.
In addition, USCIS is dedicated to enhancing technology and operational processes to reduce processing times. As previously announced, expanding premium processing to additional form types is part of their ongoing efforts to increase efficiency and alleviate burdens within the immigration system.
It’s important to note that the agency will comply with the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act, which prohibits expanding premium processing if it would lead to longer processing times for regular immigration benefit requests.
