The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a proposed rule on October 7, 2026, that would require Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified schools to pay $70,000 before first recommending an F-1 student for optional practical training (OPT), and $30,000 before a subsequent OPT recommendation after...
International travel can present challenges for foreign nationals whose visa stamps have expired, even when they remain in valid nonimmigrant status in the United States. In limited circumstances, however, automatic visa revalidation (AVR) may allow certain travelers to seek readmission to the United States without...
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit recently issued an important decision addressing ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims in immigration proceedings. In Pasqual-Andres v. U.S. Attorney General decided on August 4, 2026, the court held that a complaint filed with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)...
A federal district court in Massachusetts has postponed the effective date of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that would eliminate the duration-of-status (D/S) framework for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and certain I nonimmigrants. The rule, titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period...
The new final rule effective 15.Sep.2026 for F-1 students, including fixed admission on the I-94 record and 30-day grace period, is discussed by Murthy Law Firm attorneys in the September 2026 podcast.The MP3 is available here and soon can be found in the archive of...
South Asian Bar Association of North America Foundation SAAJCO South Asian American Justice Collaborative SABA South Asian Association of North America Murthy Law Firm Webinar: Understanding the New Student Visa Restrictions We encourage attendance in order to learn how new student visa restrictions may affect current international students, and prospective...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule that would end duration-of-status admission for F-1 students and replace it with a fixed period of admission reflected on the student's I-94 record. As stated in the MurthyDotCom NewsFlash! DHS Finalizes Major Changes to...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule in the Federal Register that replaces duration-of-status admissions for F, J, and I nonimmigrants with fixed admission periods. The rule is scheduled to take effect 15.Sep.2026, subject to the congressional review process and...
The Department of Homeland Security has finalized a rule that replaces duration-of-status admissions for certain F, J, and I nonimmigrants with fixed admission periods, generally tied to the length of the program and capped at four years for F-1 and J-1 students and exchange visitors....
For many F-1 students, selection in the H1B cap is welcome news. However, because H1B employment typically begins after the expiration of many students’ F-1 status or Optional Practical Training (OPT), a gap can arise between the end of F-1 employment authorization and the H1B...
