Student Archives - Murthy Law Firm

11 Feb 2026

I am currently on OPT and my employer will be entering me in the H1B lottery. I am presently earning the equivalent of a Wage Level 1 salary, but the employer has agreed to increase it to Wage Level 2 for my H1B lottery case. Does the employer have to start paying the higher salary now?

Answer Generally speaking, the H1B wage does not have to be paid until and unless the foreign national is granted H1B status. There is no requirement that the H1B salary be paid at the time the person enters the H1B lottery. (11.Feb.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior...

09 Feb 2026

Factors for F-1 Students to Consider in Selecting a College or University

Since taking office, the Trump administration has instituted numerous policies to make it more difficult for foreign nationals - including international students - to come to the United States. This has highlighted the need for caution among current and potential F-1 students when selecting the...

15:00 / For Individuals / Homeland Security / InfoArticle / NewsBrief / Student

27 Jan 2026

I understand that the rule granting automatic EAD extensions has been eliminated for most categories, but what about STEM OPT?

Answer A person on OPT who otherwise has maintained valid status normally can work for up to 180 days beyond their OPT EAD expiration date, based on a timely filed STEM OPT extension application. (27.Jan.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law....

18:00 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student

22 Jan 2026

Whistleblower Reveals ICE Memo Authorizing Home Entries Without Judicial Warrants

A May 2025 internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo revealed that the agency has authorized its officers, in certain situations, to forcibly enter private residences using administrative warrants, without obtaining warrants signed by judges. The policy represents a significant departure from longstanding federal law enforcement...

10:27 / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Student / Visitor / Worker

14 Jan 2026

DOS Pausing Visa Processing for Citizens of 75 Countries

In a significant development for international travel, a U.S. Department of State (DOS) memorandum has revealed a plan to indefinitely freeze visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, effective 21.Jan.2026. This move represents a major expansion of the current administration’s immigration and border policies.According to...

13:16 / Consulates / Employment Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / Worker

14 Jan 2026

Can a student transfer their SEVIS record during the 60-day grace period after completing a program?

Answer Yes, a student may initiate a SEVIS transfer during the 60-day grace period following program completion. However, initiating the transfer during the grace period does not extend the five-month deadline. The new program still must begin within five months of the student’s last date of...

07:26 / F-1 / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / Student / Worker

09 Jan 2026

USCIS Premium Processing Fees to Increase, Effective 01.Mar.2026

On Monday, 12.Jan.2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to publish a final rule in the Federal Register that will increase the premium processing fees. This fee increase will go into effect on 01.Mar.2026.Per the final rule, premium processing fees that are currently...

14:22 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / NewsBrief / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Visitor / Worker

06 Jan 2026

How does the five-month rule work for transferring an F-1 SEVIS record to a new school?

Answer Under SEVIS regulations, a student’s new academic program must begin within five months of the earlier of (1) the student’s program end date or (2) the SEVIS transfer release date. In practice, this means the five-month clock usually starts on the student’s last date of...

18:39 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student

10 Dec 2025

Does the 09.Oct.2025 DHS rule ending automatic EAD extensions affect the 180-day STEM OPT automatic extension?

Answer No. F-1 students who timely file for a STEM OPT extension still receive up to 180 days of automatic employment authorization and valid F-1 status while USCIS processes the application. The 29.Oct.2025 rule only impacts certain EAD renewal categories and does not change the STEM...

07:19 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student

04 Dec 2025

New USCIS Guidance on Country-Specific Facts and Discretionary Benefits Requests

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced new policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on how country-specific facts and circumstances may impact the adjudication of discretionary benefit requests. Presidential Proclamation 10949 The new guidance follows the framework of the 04.Jun.2025 Presidential Proclamation 10949, "Restricting...

14:58 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / USCIS News / Worker

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