On September 27, 2019, Immigration and Customs Enforcement updated and provided policy guidance on how to determine whether a student’s practical training is in an area “directly related” to the student’s major area of study. This is in keeping with the regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(A) and is applicable to both CPT and OPT employment. [...]
DHS has finalized changes to fees charged by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to international students, exchange visitors and SEVP-certified schools. The new fees will take effect June 24, 2019. Read the news release. Fee increases include: The I-901 SEVIS Fee for F and M international students will increase from $200 to $350. [...]
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 [...]
Sometimes, Attorneys have to be able to read not only what is expressly stated in the rules, but also what is carefully left out. I have had several clients calling me for the past several weeks to inquire after the final rule amending regulations to expand Optional Practical Training (OPT) for students with U.S. degrees [...]
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 [...]
On May 29, 2014, SEVP removed all Principal Designated School Officials and Designated School Officials (P/DSOs) from the following schools: Micropower Career Institute in New York, New York Micropower Computer Institute in Linden, New Jersey The Institute for Health Education in Jersey City, New Jersey and International School of Health, Beauty [...]
If you were previously in ACTIVE F-1 nonimmigrant status at University of Northern Virginia, school code WAS214F01186000, please be aware that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has withdrawn the school's approval for attendance of nonimmigrant students as of October 1, 2013. If you failed to transfer or depart the United States by November [...]
ICE press release announcing that the Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has accepted the University of Northern Virginia's application for new Designated School Officials. Nonimmigrant students who require action may now contact the school directly with requests. http://www.ice.gov/sevis/alerts/unva.htm
What to do if your school is no longer SEVP certified If you attend an SEVP certified school that has been automatically withdrawn from SEVIS certification as a result of SEVP’s ongoing recertification process please: Don’t panic! Contact your designated school official about options Finish the current semester term at your school If your designated [...]