Today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of premium processing service for foreign nationals seeking a change to F, M, or J nonimmigrant status.The expansion of this premium processing service is being implemented in two phases. Beginning June 13, 2023, the...
The U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiated a “stampless” entry pilot program in April 2022, and is now in the process of implementing the program at all airports, seaports, and land ports of entry (POEs) as part of a larger effort to streamline the...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently announced that first time F and M student visa applicants now can be issued visas up to 365 days in advance of the program start date listed on the I-20 form. Prior to this change, F and M...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expanding premium processing service for F-1 students applying for employment authorization documents (EADs) pursuant to OPT and STEM OPT extensions. The USCIS goal is to offer a more predictable process for timely adjudication for F-1 students applying...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance related to employment authorization for F-1 nonimmigrant students who qualify for special student relief (SSR) based on severe economic hardship. More specifically, the guidance serves to clarify the maximum length of time the...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the premium processing service soon will be made available for all new and pending I-140 petitions filed under the EB1(c) multinational executive and manager category and EB2 national interest waiver (NIW) I-140 petitions. The USCIS...
Many aspects of immigration law are tied to expiration dates, grace periods, filing deadlines, and other date-driven matters. So, it is vitally important to keep informed and on top of calendar items and timelines specific to one’s immigration process. Many serious problems can be avoided...
When an individual applies for an F-1, H1B, or other nonimmigrant visa at the U.S. consulate abroad, it can be fairly common to be refused initially under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This broad section applies to a wide variety of...
For people not accustomed to the open displays of merchandise typical in the United States, the opportunity to pick up a few small items could prove tempting. Many newcomers to this country do not realize that seemingly minor crimes can have very serious immigration, as...
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) terminated recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency on August 19, 2022. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in turn, recently issued an alert explaining the immigration impact this loss...
