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Original Date Announced
October 1, 2020POTUS signs H.R. 8337, funding immigration operations through December 11, 2020 and extending E-Verify, the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the Conrad 30 Program, and the Special Immigrant Non-Minister Religious Worker permanent residence program through December 11. The legislation also requires USCIS to permanently expand the types of cases eligible for premium processing (including applications for employment authorization and applications to change or extend status for the dependents of H-1B, L-1 and other principal nonimmigrant categories), increases the base premium processing fee from $1,440 to $2,500, and gives DHS the authority to designate other case types for premium service.
[ID #1076]
Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act - Enrolled BillEffective Date
October 1, 2020Subsequent Trump-Era and Court Action(s)
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October 16, 2020
Premium Processing Fee Increase Effective Oct. 19, 2020
On October 16, 2020, USCIS announced that the premium processing fee increases required by the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act would take effect on October 19, 2020. The Act, which President Trump signed into law on October 1, 2020, increases the premium processing fee from $1,440 to $2,500 for all filings except those from petitioners requesting H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status, for whom the fee increases from $1,440 to $1,500. The Act also allows USCIS to expand premium processing to additional forms and benefit requests, but according to the announcement, USCIS is not yet taking that action.
Go to article on uscis.gov -
December 11, 2020
H.R.8900 - Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021, and Other Extensions Act
On December 11, 2020, President Trump signed into law H.R.8900, Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021, and Other Extensions Act, funding the federal government and extending the E-Verify, the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the Conrad 30 Program, and the Special Immigrant Non-Minister Religious Worker permanent residence program until December 18, 2020.
Go to article on congress.gov -
December 27, 2020
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
POTUS signs into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which extends the EB-5 Regional Center Program until June 30, 2021, the E-Verify, Non-minister Special Immigrant Religious Workers, and Conrad-30 programs until September 30, 2021, and the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness program filing deadline until December 20, 2021.
Go to article on congress.gov
Biden Administration Action: Modified
February 24, 2021USCIS Expands Premium Processing Service to E-3 Petitioners
Under the Biden administration, USCIS announced that E-3 visa petitioners are eligible to use the premium processing service.
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Modified
March 30, 20222022.03.30 Implementation of the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act
This Biden administration action builds on the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
On March 30, 2022, DHS issued a final rule to expand premium processing. USCIS will expand premium processing for Forms I-539 (application to change/extend status), I-765 (application for employment authorization) and I-140 (immigrant petition for alien worker) as soon as feasible. “DHS plans on a phased implementation strategy to allow current premium processing revenue to pay for development and implementation costs associated with expanding availability of the service."
View DocumentBiden Administration Action: Modified
June 12, 20232023.06.12 USCIS Expands Premium Processing to Applicants Seeking to Change into F, M, or J Nonimmigrant Status
This Biden administration action builds on the Trump-era policy identified in this entry.
On June 12, 2023, 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. Online filing of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, will also be available for these applicants.
The premium processing expansion for certain Form I-539 applicants will occur in phases, and nonimmigrants requesting premium processing should not file before these dates:
- Beginning June 13, USCIS will accept Form I-907 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 Form I-907 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.
This phase of premium processing service is only available for change of status requests. Premium processing is not available for individuals seeking an extension of stay in M-1 or M-2 status.
View DocumentCurrent Status
Fully in EffectMost Recent Action
June 12, 2023 Action: Modified 2023.06.12 USCIS Expands Premium Processing to Applicants Seeking to Change into F, M, or J Nonimmigrant StatusFebruary 24, 2021Acted on by Biden Administration
March 30, 2022Acted on by Biden Administration
June 12, 2023Acted on by Biden Administration
Original Trump Policy Status
Status: Final/ActualTrump Administration Action: LegislationSubject Matter: Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based Employment VerificationAgencies Affected: USCIS