US Plans Quicker Visas For Foreign Students
The Biden Administration has made plans to increase the premium processing of several significant categories of green card applicants as well as some categories of visas, particularly those related to the training of international students. The extension of these categories would take place in stages, starting with the expedited processing of EB-1 and EB-2 Green Card applications.
According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, this will be in addition to any Form I-140 petitions that have already been submitted under the E13 multinational executive and manager classification or the E21 classification as a member of a profession with advanced degrees or exceptional ability seeking a National Interest Waiver (NIW). According to USCIS, this is a part of their efforts to improve productivity and lighten the load on the entire legal immigration system.
According to USCIS, "In March, we will broaden premium processing to some F-1 students seeking STEM OPT extensions and F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) who have a pending Form I-765, application for Employment Authorization." According to the statement, "In April, we will broaden premium processing to F-1 students seeking OPT and STEM OPT extensions who are filing an initial Form I-765."