USCIS updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding when students may be eligible for extensions of optional practical training (OPT) for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This
Continue Reading USCIS Updates Guidance for F/M Nonimmigrant Student Classification
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, certain nonimmigrant visa applicants are now eligible for a waiver of the visa interview requirement. The U.S. Department of State recently announced the following nonimmigrant categories
Continue Reading Interview Requirement Waiver Available for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
On Nov. 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released a press release highlighting its visa operations achievements in the federal fiscal year 2023 (FY 2023) from October 2022
Continue Reading Report on the US Department of State’s FY 2023 Visa Operations
On Oct. 24, 2023, U. S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued updated policy guidance to its Policy Manual regarding the two-year foreign residence requirement for the nonimmigrant exchange visitor
Continue Reading Policy Update to Foreign Residency Requirement for J-1 Exchange Visitors
Tucked away in the Code of Federal Regulations is a statute that provides employment authorization to nonimmigrants – such as holders of E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, or O-1 visas –
Continue Reading USCIS Introduces New Guidance for EADs Based on Compelling Circumstances
On May 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) updated four provisions of the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) relating to E visas. The updates relate to E-2 substantiality; E
Continue Reading Department of State Updates FAM E Visa Provisions
On June 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of State nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2) and non-petition-based NIV applications such as student
Continue Reading Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases Effective June 17, 2023
On March 10, 2023, U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS) provided clarification on the 60-day grace period offered to nonimmigrant workers who have been terminated or who have resigned from
Continue Reading USCIS Clarifies Start Date for Maximum 60-Day Grace Period Following Termination of Employment
The global demand for non-immigrant U.S. visas skyrocketed during the COVID-19 health emergency, when travel was halted and U.S. embassies and consulates closed. Even after reopening, U.S. embassies and consulates
Continue Reading Bipartisan Letter from the Senate Urges U.S. State Department to Address Ongoing Visa Delays
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) plans to test a program that would permit H- and L-visa holders to renew their visa stamps from within the United States, rather than
Continue Reading U.S. Department of State to Pilot Domestic Visa Renewal Option in 2023