Answer While on your STEM-OPT, you must be working for an E-Verify enrolled employer. Any change in employer must be reported to your DSO and the correct I-983 paperwork submitted. Failure to take these steps could result in a determination of status violation and related adverse...
Answer An individual is permitted an aggregate of 90 days of unemployment in the initial practical training period. If s/he has not had more than 90 days of unemployment and has received a STEM-OPT extension, the individual is entitled to 60 days more, or an aggregate...
Answer The requirements for the H1B master's quota are straightforward - the degree must be from a U.S. university, and the university must be a public college, or a nonprofit college. One cannot use a degree from a for-profit college to apply under the master's quota....
Answer One needs to be VERY careful with this. Although many states have legalized marijuana, it is still classified as a Schedule A drug under federal law (the same classification as drugs like heroin and cocaine). Even if state law allows the use of marijuana for...
Answer Although it is possible to have more than one change-of-status application pending at the same time (seeking different visa classification), it is not possible to hold more than one nonimmigrant status at the same time. The USCIS follows the last-action rule, whereby the last action...
Answer The validity of the visa foil in your passport does not necessarily control the validity of your stay and authorized activities (work, travel) in the United States. It is possible that an I-94 can exceed the validity of a visa foil. Furthermore, different nonimmigrant status...
Answer The STEM extension must be received by the USCIS on or before the last day of one's initial OPT period. There are no provisions for late filing or for extending the deadline, so if this date is missed, the STEM extension will be abandoned. (07.Jan.2019)In...
Answer One who has received a master's degree or above from a nonprofit, accredited university normally would be eligible to file under the "master's cap." This applies, even if all the credits are taken through online courses. (There is a strict limit on the number of...
Answer One in F-1 status must normally be a full-time student, which is defined by the school. (05.Nov.2018)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in real time. For details on chat participation, click here.Access more...
Answer It is not unusual with longer names for parts of the name to be truncated on the EAD. It should not affect your ability to begin working on that EAD. (22.Oct.2018)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that...
