As the new Trump administration takes shape, tech companies and foreign workers are keenly observing potential changes to the H-1B visa program and other related tech visas. The administration is expected to appease its opposing stakeholders by maintaining strong relationships with the tech industry while also
USCIS updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding when students may be eligible for extensions of optional practical training (OPT) for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This guidance, available in Volume 2, Part F of the Policy Manual, also clarifies guidelines for F/M nonimmigrant students regarding online study, school transfers, grace period
On July 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of eight new fields of study to the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. The OPT program allows foreign national students holding F-1 status to gain practical experience in their field of study for up to one year after graduation. However
USCIS has made it easier for certain F-1 students who are seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions to apply for premium processing. Beginning March 6, 2023, students who have already filed Form I-765 and fall under the categories of (c)(3)(A) Pre-Completion OPT, (c)(3)(B) Post-Completion
USCIS posted a notice that as of Aug. 19, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This change affects two immigration-related student programs and other immigration benefits. Click here to see a list of ACICS schools.
English language study programs
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization online if they are filing for: pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT, or STEM OPT. The online filing option comes in the midst of USCIS’ significant backlogs in issuing receipt notices and
With delays at USCIS lockbox and service centers due to COVID-19 and an unprecedented number of applications, those seeking to apply or renew their Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) have experienced issues in commencing or continuing employment. One class of impacted nonimmigrants is F-1 students, who may apply for work authorization after graduation, called Optional Practical
As you may have read, many media outlets and other sources are reporting that the Trump Administration plans to issue an additional Proclamation or Executive Order (EO) in the coming weeks that may suspend the entry of foreign employees or the issuance of nonimmigrant visas at U.S. Embassies and Consulates anywhere from 60 to 180
This week, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published its quarterly “SEVIS by the Numbers” report announcing that there are over one million international students in the United States. Many of these students will seek employment with U.S. companies using work authorization granted to them pursuant to their F or M visa status. In