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Breaking News! USCIS Expands Premium Processing for Applicants Seeking to Change into Student Status

I have exciting news to share with all of you who are planning to study in the United States! USCIS has recently announced a major expansion of premium processing for applicants seeking a change of status to student visas. This means you can now skip the long waiting period and enroll in classes without the usual delays.

Under normal circumstances, the processing time for these applications takes over a year, causing many prospective students to face uncertainty and challenges in planning their academic journey. However, with the introduction of premium processing, the waiting time has been significantly reduced to just 30 days, ensuring a much smoother and faster transition into student status.

To take advantage of this expedited service, applicants will need to pay a USCIS fee of $1,750. While this may seem like a substantial investment, the benefits it offers in terms of time saved and peace of mind are well worth it. By opting for premium processing, you can avoid the stress and uncertainty of waiting for a decision while ensuring a timely start to your educational pursuits in the United States. Premium processing is not available for student visa applications filed in consulates outside the United States.

It's important to note that this expansion of premium processing is part of USCIS's broader plan to gradually introduce this service to additional form types over a period of at least three years. While there is no specific timeline for future expansions, it is expected that USCIS will extend premium processing to applicants seeking to change to other nonimmigrant categories and those seeking to extend certain types of nonimmigrant status.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in streamlining the immigration process and providing more efficient services to applicants. USCIS recognizes the importance of international students and their contributions to the United States, and this expansion of premium processing is a testament to their commitment to facilitating a smoother transition for students.

To summarize, the key takeaways are:

  1. USCIS has expanded premium processing for applicants seeking a change of status to student visas.

  2. Premium processing allows you to bypass the long waiting period for normal processing, which typically takes over a year.

  3. By opting for premium processing, you can receive a decision within 30 days, ensuring a faster enrollment process.

  4. The USCIS fee for premium processing is $1,750.

  5. This expansion is part of USCIS's plan to gradually introduce premium processing to additional form types over the next few years.

  6. USCIS is expected to announce further premium processing expansions for applicants seeking to change to other nonimmigrant categories and extend certain types of nonimmigrant status.

If you are considering studying in the United States, this is undoubtedly a positive development that will greatly benefit your journey. The opportunity to bypass long processing times and kick-start your educational aspirations is within reach.

Immigration NewsWendy