The Murthy Law Firm has learned about a significant procedural change for nonimmigrant (temporary) visa applications at U.S. consulates in India. More specifically, this shift in procedure relates to the online DS-160 form, which typically must be completed prior to scheduling an appointment to apply...
Answer Yes, a company can start a GC for someone on F-1/OPT. This does not disrupt the F-1/OPT status. But, for people from India, it is normally going to be necessary to change into H1B or some other work authorized status at some point to bridge...
Answer This isn't a simple question. The change of status from B-1 to F-1 is disfavored. That is why people cannot attend school while that request is pending - unlike other COS to F-1 requests. Further, one cannot enter the U.S. on B-1 with the intention...
... My H1B petition has just been approved with an I-94 for H1B status. I would like to travel back home for a short vacation in the last week of August and come back to continue working on OPT before my status changes to H1B...
On August 12, 2015, the decision was issued by a U.S. district court that will serve to terminate the 17-month optional practical training (OPT) extension program for F-1 STEM students unless the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) addresses the matter within the next 6...
... I always maintained my nonimmigrant status in the U.S., including H-4 initially and F-1 currently, and I have another year to complete my degree. This summer, my husband and I would like to take a one week vacation and travel to Canada by car....
On August 12, 2015, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not follow proper procedures when they created the STEM OPT extension regulation. Thus, the Court vacated or struck down the regulation, effective February...
... My DSO authorized an early withdrawal for me and told me that I needed to come back to school and enroll in classes within five months after the date of my departure. I came back just before a regular summer break, after spending three...
Answer Anyone who obtains a U.S. master's degree (or higher) from an accredited, not-for-profit college or university can file in the master's cap. It is the degree that matters, not the status held when obtaining the degree. H-4s are eligible to attend school, so that is...
Murthy Law Firm attorneys discuss recent trends in visa applications, including fee increases and common issues that can result following a visa refusal or denial. They cover strategies for employers and visa applicants to overcome these hurdles and answer frequently asked questions about visa processing....
