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Department of Homeland Security Final Rule Ends Duration of Status (D/S): What F-1, J-1, and I Visa Holders Need to Know
Photo by Prostock-Studio from Getty Images For decades, many international students, exchange visitors, and foreign media representatives admitted to the United States were granted Duration of Status (D/S) on their Form I-94. Under this system, individuals could generally remain in the U.S. for as long as they maintained their immigration status and complied with the […]
Duration of Status (D/S): What International Students Should Know
Photo Courtesy by pixelshot Duration of Status (D/S): What International Students Should Know Earlier this year, discussions resurfaced around potential changes to how international students and exchange visitors are admitted into the United States—specifically, the possible elimination of Duration of Status (D/S). While no final rule has been issued, the proposal raised important questions for […]
Surprise USCIS Checks Hit F-1 STEM OPT Students
Image courtesy of pocstock Surprise USCIS Checks Hit F-1 STEM OPT Students: What You Need to Know F-1 students on OPT and STEM OPT extensions are facing a new wave of immigration scrutiny. Since late 2024, immigration attorneys across the country have reported a sharp rise in surprise USCIS site visits—with officers showing up at […]
CIS Ombudsman’s Office Reminder: Additional Time to Produce F-1 EAD Cards
Photo by Headway on Unsplash USCIS expanded Premium Processing Services (PPS) to F-1 students who have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization earlier this year. F-1 students will file a Form I-765 when seeking optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions. Upgrading the filing with a Form I-907, […]
Eight New CIP Codes in the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List
Photo by Radowan Nakif Rehan on Unsplash The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register notice in mid-July announcing eight (8) additional Classification of Industrial Programs (CIP) codes to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This List of CIP Codes is used when […]
Premium Processing Available for I-539 Applicants seeking F, M, J status
Photo by javier trueba on Unsplash USCIS announced the expansion of Premium Processing Service (PPS) to applicants submitting a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status for F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. At the time of this writing, the Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service will be accepted for a […]
Premium Processing Available to Certain F-1 Students
Photo by Philippe Bout on Unsplash Earlier this month, USCIS announced Premium Processing Services (PPS) available for F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions with a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service can be filed online or […]
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Increases Scrutiny of Curricular Practical Training Authorizations: What Schools and Designated School Officials (DSOs) Should Know
Photo by naïri from corelens The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is reminding schools and Designated School Officials (DSOs) of their responsibilities when authorizing Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for F-1 students. SEVP says it has observed an increase in CPT authorizations that do not meet regulatory requirements, […]