The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has extended the guidance issued in March 2020 for the 2022-23 academic year. This guidance allows certain continuing F and M students to enroll in more distance learning (e.g., online classes) than normally allowed. This accommodation was made...
Regular readers of MurthyDotCom have likely come across the terms: lawful status, period of authorized stay, and unlawful presence. These related, yet distinct concepts can play a very important role in one's immigration matters. However, the differences can be subtle and complex. In many situations,...
Today, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced multiple initiatives to help streamline the adjudication of benefit requests and reduce significant backlogs. Most importantly, the agency announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized the rule expanding premium processing to additional application...
A U.S. federal district court has approved a preliminary settlement agreement for former students of the University of Northern New Jersey (UNNJ), a fictitious university created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2012. Following the closure of UNNJ in 2016, the DHS...
The Biden Administration has announced several immigration actions being taken to attract and retain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent in the United States. The goal of these actions is to make the United States a more attractive option for students studying STEM and...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released guidance to clarify that if a foreign national files an application to extend / change nonimmigrant status (form I-539) online, and biometrics are required, the USCIS will transmit the biometrics notice solely via the applicant's USCIS...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) is temporarily making it much easier for many nonimmigrant visa applicants to qualify for a waiver of the in-person interview requirement. Commonly referred to as the "drop box" process, the rule expanding eligibility is scheduled to remain in effect...
As of November 8, 2021, in order to board a flight bound for the United States, foreign nationals are generally required to provide evidence of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, irrespective of citizenship and vaccination status, all air passengers ages 2 or older must...
Effective November 8, 2021, the Biden Administration is rescinding the COVID-19 related travel restrictions based on several presidential proclamations. In its place, President Biden has issued a proclamation that requires nearly all nonimmigrant international air travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before being admitted...
The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) has released a tip sheet to guide customers in communicating with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS has implemented a number of changes to reduce reliance on live assistance by telephone...
