In February 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) provided updated guidance that consular officers can now issue an F or M student visa up to 365 days in advance of an international student’s program start date. This new guidance does not change the requirement for issuing Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” in the Student and…
The CIS Ombudsman’s Office provides tips for F-1 students applying for optional practical training (OPT) to avoid processing delays with Form I-765. Tips include checking USCIS website for updates, ensuring Form I-20 is signed and dated, applying online for faster processing and easy access to case updates, submitting Form I-765 within specified timelines, including a properly completed Form I-20, updating…
The USCIS has revealed that F-1 students who are waiting for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields who have applied for an extension of their OPT and are waiting for approval on their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, can now apply for premium processing. The online filing of Form I-907,…
USCIS announced policy guidance to clarify the validity period of employment authorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances (also known as special student relief). USCIS is clarifying that it may grant off-campus SSR employment authorization for the duration of the Federal Register notice validity period, not to exceed the F-1 nonimmigrant student’s academic program end…
U.S. Department of Education made an announcement that they will no longer recognize the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This determination will be affecting the two immigration-related student programs: • English language study programs, as the programs are required to be accredited under the Accreditation of English Language Training Program act; and •…
ICE announced through the broadcast message that it will extend the guidance originally issued in March 2020 for F and M international students for the 2022-23 academic year. This guidance enables schools and students to engage in distance learning in excess of regulatory limits due to the continuing public health concerns created by COVID-19. There are no changes to the original guidance,…
