17 Jun 2025

My school operates on a quarter-based schedule with summer, fall, winter, and spring academic quarters. Instead of taking courses this coming winter, am I permitted to take a vacation?

Answer If a student attends a school on a quarter or trimester calendar, they may take one vacation per year during any one of the quarters or trimesters, as long as they have completed the equivalent of an academic year prior to taking the vacation. (17.Jun.2025)Sheela...

30 Apr 2025

I received a B-1/B-2 visa stamp a few years ago. More recently, I was issued an F-1 visa stamp by the same U.S. consulate. Does this mean my B-1/B-2 is no longer valid?

Answer Typically, applying for an F-1 visa “stamp” would not impact the validity of an existing B-1/B-2 visa. (30.Apr.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here.  Copyright © 2025, MURTHY...

02 Jan 2025

A few weeks after I was arrested for driving while intoxicated, I received an eMail from the consulate saying that my H1B visa had been revoked. Do I need to leave the U.S. now?

Answer The prudential revocations of a visa due to a DUI only impacts the visa “stamp,” not a person’s status.That being said, please see our MurthyDotCom InfoArticle, Alcohol-Related Arrests Create Immigration Problems (29.Dec.2023), which summarizes some of the key problems that can be created by one...

24 Dec 2024

I am on H-4 and am applying for a change of status to F-1. My husband is on H1B and his employer has filed a PERM case for him. Will that pending PERM increase the risk of my F-1 application being denied?

Answer A PERM case filed for one’s spouse normally would not increase the risk the denial of a change of status to F-1. (24.Dec.2024)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more...

30 Oct 2024

I am a student in F-1 status. I received an eMail from the U.S. consulate that issued my F-1 visa stamp saying that my visa was revoked. Am I out of status now? Do I need to take any action?

Answer A revocation of a visa "stamp" does not impact one’s immigration status in the U.S. It means, however, that you would have to apply for a new visa to return to the U.S. after a trip abroad, even though your existing visa stamp may still...

18 Sep 2024

I applied for my 24-month STEM OPT extension and it currently is pending. My first-year OPT EAD expired two weeks ago. I just received news that I must travel back to my home country for a couple of weeks to attend to a sick relative. Will I be able to return to resume my STEM OPT?

Answer Your EAD and F-1 status are automatically extended for 180 days while your STEM OPT is pending. If you travel during this time, you should be able to come back with an expired EAD and the STEM OPT receipt notice. You should also be able...

24 Jul 2024

I applied for the 24-month STEM OPT extension and it is still pending. However, I recently was laid off from my employment and received a new job offer from another company. Can I inform USCIS that I changed employers? Am I still eligible for STEM OPT approval?

Answer As long as your new employer is registered with E-Verify and the new job offer is for at least 20 hours per week, you should have a new Form I-983 completed with your new employer and provide it to your DSO. This should enable the...