USCIS has published a revised final policy memorandum related to unlawful presence after considering feedback received during a 30-day public comment period that ended June 11, 2018. Under the revised final policy memorandum, effective Aug. 9, 2018, F and M non-immigrants who fall out of status and timely file for reinstatement of that status will [...]
USCIS has posted a policy memorandum changing how the agency will calculate unlawful presence for students and exchange visitors in F, J, and M nonimmigrant status, including F-2, J-2, or M-2 dependents, who fail to maintain their status in the United States. This policy aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order: Enhancing Public Safety in the [...]
CAP Gap Employment: The USCIS has clarified that F-1 nonimmigrant students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization. An F-1 student who is the beneficiary of an H-1B petition and request for change of status that is filed on time may have his [...]
USCIS announced on May 3, 2017 that it has completed data entry of all fiscal year 2018 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in the computer-generated random process. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected. Due to the high volume of filings, USCIS is unable to provide a definite time frame [...]
USCIS published a Fee Increase schedule in the Federal Register today. Applications and petitions mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed on or after 12/23/16 must include new fee. (81 FR 73292, 10/24/16) USCIS Fee Schedule (pdf) A few important Forms and the corresponding fee increases are listed below: Form From To I-129 $325.00 $460.00 I-539 [...]
ALERT: Effective May 10, 2016, DHS is amending its F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education. Such F-1 students who have elected to pursue 12 months of post-completion OPT in the United States may [...]
On 3/11/16, DHS published a final rule on the OPT program for students in STEM fields. The new STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training and replaces the 17-month STEM OPT extension, and takes effect on 5/10/16. SEVP will host a live webinar on April 14, 2016 from 2 to 3 p.m. [...]
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released a STEM OPT hub page on the Study in the States website, to help school officials, students, and employers understand the new DHS final rule on OPT for F-1 students. The website includes a transition plan and training plan, as well as FAQs. Form I-983, Training [...]
The Department of Homeland Security is issuing a final rule that will allow certain foreign students with science, technology, math, or engineering (STEM) degrees to extend their optional practical training or "OPT" period by 2 years, on top of the 1 year already allowed for graduates in all fields. The rule is scheduled to go [...]
DHS released the final version of the revised STEM optional practical training (OPT) rule today. It will go into effect on May 10th. The final rule will allow F-1 STEM OPT extensions of up to 24 months, replacing the current rule that allows for only 17-month extensions. The rule also includes the “Cap-Gap” relief for [...]