The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which is part of the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE), recently released a broadcast message reminding all students on optional practical training (OPT) that volunteer positions not directly related to their course of study do not qualify...
Answer In general, this would be possible, assuming that one is in valid F-1 status. (25.Jun.2018)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 participation, click here.Access more FAQs here. Copyright...
... and we still do not know if the H1B petition was picked in the lottery and accepted for processing, since we did not receive either a receipt notice or our petition back. Is there any way to find out if the petition was accepted...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued a notice, reminding stakeholders that optional practical training (OPT) work authorization automatically terminates if the F-1 student transfers to another school or begins study at a different educational level. Although the notice may appear alarming to...
Answer There is nothing inherently wrong with CPT, as long as it complies with the regulations. The USCIS does apply a great deal of scrutiny if the individual has been maintaining F-1 status based on CPT. The most frequent CPT abuses seem to occur with day-1...
Answer There is nothing inherently wrong with day-one CPT, if it complies with the regulations. It does receive a great deal of scrutiny from the USCIS, however. And, historically, some of the schools that have offered day-one CPT have failed to fully comply with the various...
On May 11, 2018, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy memorandum that will substantially change the rules regarding unlawful presence (ULP) as they apply to those in F, J, and M status. The new rules are scheduled to go into effect...
Answer One can qualify for OPT after one year of full-time study in any status (as long as s/he is in F-1 status at the time the OPT application is filed). (14.May.2018)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy memorandum today that will dramatically expand the manners in which those in F, J, and M status may begin accruing unlawful presence (ULP).Nonimmigrants entering in F, J, or M status usually are admitted for "duration...
At the end of 2017, MurthyDotCom summarized a number of concerning immigration regulations under consideration by the Trump Administration in the NewsBrief, Troubling Immigration Rules, Including End of H-4 EAD, on Trump’s Rulemaking Agenda (2017.Dec.15). While none of the rules has yet come to light,...
