On July 24, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that nonimmigrant students and schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) should abide by SEVP guidance originally issued in March 2020, which allowed some distance learning in excess of regulatory limits due to the public health emergency[Read More]
News & Alerts
One Month Extension of Immigrant Visa Medical Examinations
July 24, 2020. Immigrant visas are limited to the validity of the medical examination for a maximum of six months. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved a one-month extension for medical examinations conducted between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020. If you were unable to travel on your issued visa or obtained[Read More]
SEVP plans to modify temporary exemptions for international students taking online courses during fall 2020 semester
[Updated July 24, 2020]. Good news! In response to Harvard/ MIT lawsuit, government has agreed to rescind SEVP’s July 6, 2020 policy which had proposed to limit online study from the fall semester by intl students in the U.S. and the incoming students would not have been able to come to study in the U.S.[Read More]
President Trump issued Executive Order suspending entry of foreign workers including high-skilled workers
President Trump has issued the Presidential Proclamations (PP. 10052) temporarily suspending the entry of nonimmigrant workers (H-1B, L-1, J-1, H-2B and their dependents) who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa. The suspension will last until December 31, 2020 and it may continue if the Administration finds it ‘necessary’. This Order also extended the April 22, 2020[Read More]
Section 212(f) Suspension of entry or imposition of visa restrictions by President
June 24, 2020. President Trump has issued the Executive Order temporarily suspending the entry of nonimmigrant workers (H-1B, H-2B, L-1, certain J-1 and their dependents) who are outside the U.S. and do not have valid visa at the time of this Order. The suspension will last until December 31, 2020 and may continue as Administration[Read More]
USCIS Rescinds memo on Employer-employee relationship, and Contracts and Itineraries Requirements for H-1B Petition Involving Third-Party Worksite
USCIS has issued a Policy Memo rescinding two of its policy memoranda (ITServe Settlement Policy Memo, June 17, 2020) regarding the adjudication of certain petitions for H-1B nonimmigrant classification. See memo here on USCIS website. Background USCIS has rescinded the following policy memoranda and has issued updated policy guidance in their place: Determining Employer-Employee Relationship[Read More]
Rumors about further suspension of travels to the U.S. and cancellation of OPT/STEM
There have been false rumors that the Trump Administration is going to propose a restriction on F-1, H-1, L-1 and others to enter the U.S. and may terminate OPT/STEM programs. These are just baseless rumors. As a legal matter, the administration CANNOT suspend or cancel OPT/STEM without changing immigration regulations which can take about half[Read More]
Trump administration suspends the entry of Certain Students and Researchers from China
Trump administration suspends the entry Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers (graduate level in F and J visa, undergrads are not affected) from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). This restriction is narrow but the practical impact is going to be felt by others and those already in the U.S. too. Those studying or conducting[Read More]
Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19: Updated May 14, 2020
This document provides answers to frequently asked questions from Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) stakeholders about the impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID19) on SEVP-certified schools and F and M students. Note: SEVP continues to actively monitor COVID-19 and provide up-to-date information to stakeholders, including designated school officials (DSOs) and F and M students.[Read More]
Employment based Green Card
Green Card with or without a Job Offer: EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability (possible even without job offer)Individuals with Extraordinary Ability (self-petition, possible even without job offer) EB-2 NIW: Individuals who qualify for National Interest Waiver (NIW) exempting from job offer requirement and, thus, the labor certification (EB-2, NIW) Green Card with a Job Offer: EB-1C: Multinational Manager or Executive EB-1B (PERM[Read More]