USCIS announced that as of March 6, 2023, it will now accept premium processing requests for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) as well as for F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions. Please...
Under normal regulations, F-1 students have limitations as to when and where they are allowed to work as well as minimum required course loads. During times of crisis, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can suspend those limitations for groups...
On July 20, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new policy guidance that eliminates the need for individuals who have applied for a change of status (COS) to F-1 student status, to also apply to change or extend...
On August 9, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) published a Memo entitled Accrual of Unlawful Presence and F, J, and M Nonimmigrants (the “Memo”) which provided that F, J, and M nonimmigrant students would begin accruing unlawful presence...
On August 9, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Memorandum updating the USCIS Adjudicators Field Manual (AFM) to state that students in F, J, and M status who are admitted for “duration of status” or “D/S”...
On March 20, 2018, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would temporarily suspend premium processing for H-1B petitions filed toward this year’s annual H-1B cap, and anticipated that the suspension would expire on September 10, 2018....
Under a new memo that goes into effect tomorrow, August 9, 2018, some nonimmigrants in F (international student) status, J (cultural or educational exchange visitor) status, or M (vocational or technical school student) status may begin accruing unlawful presence (ULP)...
What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)? Optional practical training (OPT) is defined by federal regulations as "temporary employment for practical training directly related to the [F-1] student's major area of study." After completion of a course of study, most students...