USCIS Publishes Final Rule on Certain Employment-Based Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa Programs

2018-03-07T19:42:44+00:00Nov 18, 2016|

USCIS has published a final rule to modernize and improve several aspects of certain employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa programs. USCIS has also amended regulations to better enable U.S. employers to hire and retain certain foreign workers who are beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions and are waiting to become lawful permanent residents. This [...]

E-Verify User Manual for Corporate Administrators

2018-03-07T21:53:10+00:00Nov 7, 2016|

USCIS provides an updated M-1053, E-Verify User Manual for Corporate Administrators which provides guidance on E-Verify processes and outlines the rules and responsibilities for corporate administrators enrolled in E-Verify. Read the updated E-Verify User Manual

Extension of Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 Status for Eligible Students under the H-1B Cap-Gap Regulations

2018-03-04T00:58:48+00:00Apr 21, 2016|

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 [...]

Revised version of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization

2018-03-07T17:56:10+00:00Apr 18, 2016|

As of April 13, 2016, USCIS revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The revised version is available at uscis.gov/n-400. You may continue to use the 9/13/13 edition of the form until August 9, 2016. USCIS reject and return previous versions of Form N-400 submitted on or after August 10, 2016.

SEVP Webinar on STEM OPT 24-Month Extension Final Rule

2018-03-04T01:00:55+00:00Mar 22, 2016|

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. [...]

SEVP Unveils Online STEM OPT Hub and Resources on DHS Final Rule

2018-03-04T01:06:01+00:00Mar 14, 2016|

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 [...]

FAQ on Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses

2018-03-19T17:27:00+00:00Mar 13, 2016|

On February 26, 2015, USCIS hosted a teleconference about new regulatory changes, effective May 26, 2015, that extended eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of certain H-1B nonimmigrants who have already started the process of seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status. Those eligible include H-4 dependent spouses of principal H-1B nonimmigrants [...]

DHS Final Rule Offers More Flexibility to Students – Highlights

2018-03-04T01:03:16+00:00Mar 13, 2016|

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 [...]

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