The State Department updated its Foreign Affairs Manual on intent to depart and residence abroad requirements for F-1 and M-1 students. The new guidance clarifies that although F-1 and M-1
Continue Reading State Department Updates Guidance on F-1/M-1 Student Intent to Depart and Residence Abroad Requirements

Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia significantly curtailed immigration benefits for foreign students in the United States on F-1 visas. In her opinion in the case
Continue Reading Federal Court Decision on F-1 Work Authorization Poses Massive Headaches for Employers Unless USCIS Implements A New Rule In The Next 6 Months

The Department of State (DOS) announced more changes to its Reciprocity Table following updates from earlier this month and in September.  Specifically, beginning November 12, 2014, Chinese nationals and their dependents will be eligible for longer visa validity periods for the following U.S. visas:

  • B-1/B-2 (business and tourism) visas will increase from a one-year validity period to ten years (valid for multiple entries)
  • F-1 (students), J-1 (trainees) and M-1 (vocational) visas will increase from a one-year validity period to five years (valid for multiple entries)

Continue Reading U.S. Immigration: Extended Visa Validity Announced for Chinese Nationals

The majority of employees selected for the FY2015 H-1B cap will be changing status on October 1, 2014 and employers should be mindful of the following:

  • Any FY2015 H-1B petition that is still pending approval for an employee who is working pursuant to the F-1/H-1B cap gap provision should be premium processed now. Employers should note that the F-1/H-1B cap gap provision only provides employment authorization until September 30, 2014, so the beneficiary of an H-1B cap-subject petition will need to have the H-1B petition approved on or before that date to avoid any interruption in work authorization.
    Continue Reading Employers Take Note: The Start Date For This Year’s H-1B Cap Cases Is Around the Corner