The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum on May 23, 2017 that adopts the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) decision in Matter of A-T- Inc. The adopted decision serves to instruct USCIS personnel that, for purposes of determining whether a person qualifies...
Answer Even if one has a valid nonimmigrant visa, the CBP officers have wide discretion to bar admission. For instance, if the officers suspect that one's reasons for entering the U.S. are not valid or consistent with what is permitted under that particular visa category, or...
Answer Attorneys are not normally permitted to attend visa interviews, so the representation is limited to contacting the consulate by phone or eMail, before or after the visa interview. This can be accomplished from the U.S., and the Murthy Law Firm routinely contacts consulates for visa...
... My employer says that we should put the company’s headquarters address in response to the question about the name and the address of the actual work site. Would this be acceptable? I’m working at different client sites for relatively short periods of time and...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released April 20, 2017 guidance on how international students, particularly those in English language study and STEM OPT extension programs, will be affected by the loss of accreditation of institutions previously recognized by the Accrediting Council for Independent...
... of a nonimmigrant visa. I plan to travel home next month to visit my family. My visa stamp does not expire until next year. Can I use my visa to return to the U.S.? Answer An alcohol related arrest can result in a prudential revocation of...
... Because of the pending H1B petition, my SEVIS record was automatically updated showing a cap-gap period until Sep 30th. I would like to apply for the 24-month OPT STEM extension, just in case my H1B petition will not be approved. Can I do that? Answer According...
Answer Volunteer work may be acceptable for the initial 12-month OPT period, but is not acceptable for the STEM OPT extension. (08.May.2017)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...
Answer Unfortunately, if you transfer to another program of study, your motion will become moot because it will no longer be possible for you to engage in OPT, as it will no longer follow the completion of your previous degree. (05.May.2017)Questions frequently reach us from students...
... If my petition is denied, will I still be able to transfer to another program to continue in F-1 status? Answer You should be eligible for the cap-gap benefit extending your F-1 status with employment authorization beyond the expiration of your STEM OPT and until September...
