Student Archives - Page 31 of 67 - Murthy Law Firm

13 Jul 2018

I graduated with a master’s degree in F-1 status and worked on optional practical training (OPT) for a year. When my OPT was about to end, I transferred to another master’s program …

... and received authorization from my designated school official (DSO) for curriculum practical training (CPT) to continue working. Is this allowed? Should I be concerned about maintaining my F-1 status? Answer Generally, there is no restriction on CPT authorization (provided it meets all applicable requirements) when the...

06 Jul 2018

NewsFlash! USCIS to Place Far More Foreign Nationals in Removal Proceeding, Per New Memo

Thursday evening, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memo that appears to greatly expand the situations in which a foreign national is to be issued a notice to appear (NTA). An NTA is a charging document that initiates removal (i.e. deportation)...

10:16 / Citizen / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Visitor / Worker

03 Jul 2018

SEVP Broadcast Message on OPT Volunteer Work

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...

08:33 / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Student

25 Jun 2018

Can I transfer my F-1 to a new university while my H1B is in process?

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...

13:20 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student / Worker

15 Jun 2018

I have been working on STEM OPT and my employer filed an H1B petition for me on April 1st for the October 1st start date. My STEM OPT will end on June 20th, …

... 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...

13:37 / FAQs / Student

13 Jun 2018

USCIS Reminder: OPT Terminates upon Transfer to New School or Change in Education Level

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...

08:58 / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Student

04 Jun 2018

I am currently working on a CPT, but I heard that the USCIS released a memo saying that students should not work on CPT. Is this true?

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...

12:19 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student

21 May 2018

Is Day 1 CPT a good option? If so, is traveling outside the U.S. while attending such a school a problem?

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...

08:31 / FAQs / Student / Travel

18 May 2018

Analysis of USCIS Memo on Unlawful Presence for F, J, and M Nonimmigrants

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...

13:25 / For Employers / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Student / USCIS News / Worker

14 May 2018

Do I need to be in F-1 status for a full year to be eligible for OPT, or can I study for a portion of that time in H-4 status?

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...

07:14 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Student

Murthy Law Firm