More immigration news is coming your way. This week important updates have been released for F-1 students seeking post-completion Optional Practical Training in certain STEM-related fields of study. DHS Issues Advance Copy of STEM Designated Degree Program List for post-completion Optional Practical Training If you are an international student studying…
Articles Posted in Student Visas
Department of State Releases Information Regarding Waiver of the In-Person Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
We have very exciting news for nonimmigrant visa applicants. Today, December 23rd, the Department of State announced that the agency has granted Consular officers the discretionary power to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain temporary employment nonimmigrant visa applicants, provided such applicants have a petition approved by USCIS. This…
Immigration Updates: DACA USCIS Guidance, Bridge the Gap Policy Abandoned, First Time TPS Applications Can Now Be Filed Online for 5 Countries, and TPS Extensions and Re-designations for Yemen and Somalia
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! We are happy to bring you the latest immigration updates recently announced by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS Guidance Following DACA Permanent Injunction in State of Texas, et al., v. United States of America, et al., 1:18-CV-00068, (S.D. Texas July 16, 2021)…
DOS Update: Entry of F-1, M-1, Certain Exchange Academics, Journalists, and Critical Infrastructure Workers, in the National Interest Despite COVID-19 Regional Presidential Proclamations
In today’s blog post, we are happy to bring our readers some very exciting news. On April 26, 2021, the Department of State formally announced a new National Interest Determination for certain categories of nonimmigrant visa applicants currently unable to enter the United States due to COVID-19 related Regional Presidential…
F-1 Update: I-765 EAD Applications for Optional Practical Training (OPT) Can Now Be Filed Online
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! It’s a brand-new week and we are excited to share with you a recent update that will benefit F-1 students applying for employment authorization under the Optional Practical Training program (OPT). Today, April 12, 2021, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1…
This Week in Immigration: USCIS Expands Premium Processing to E-3 Petitions, USCIS Introduces Flexibilities for Certain Students Filing Form I-765 for OPT, H-1B FY 2022 Cap Registration Opens March 9th
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! We kick off the start of a brand-new week with some important immigration updates. USCIS Expands Premium Processing Service to E-3 Petitioners We are happy to report that beginning February 24, 2021, petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, who are requesting a change…
COVID-19 Updates: DOS Announces Extension for Immigrant Visa Medical Exams, When Will Consulates Resume Visa Services, SEVP Guidance for International Students, and National Interest Exceptions for Presidential Proclamations Restricting Travel
In this blog post we share with our readers several new developments in immigration relating to COVID-19. At a Glance: What’s in This Blog? DOS Announces One-Month Extension for Immigrant Visa Medical Examinations Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services DOS Releases SEVP Online Course Guidance for F and M Students…
UPDATE: Trump Administration Rescinds Policy Requiring International Students to Attend In-Person Classes
We are very happy to announce that yesterday July 14, 2020, the Trump administration backed down and agreed to cancel a new set of federal guidelines that would have required international students to attend classes in-person during the upcoming Fall 2020 semester. As you may be aware, on Monday July…
Harvard-MIT Student Lawsuit UPDATE – A Federal Judge Could Block New Guidelines by Wednesday
We continue to have good news for international students. As you already know, on July 8th Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a lawsuit to stop the government from enforcing new guidelines on international students that would prohibit them from taking online classes during the Fall semester,…
Harvard and MIT Lead the Fight for International Students: Lawsuit Filed Challenging New Guidelines Prohibiting Online Instruction
We have news that may be some relief to international students across the United States. Today, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) filed a lawsuit in District Court in Boston against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),…