U.S. consular sections across India have resumed accepting drop box applications to renew F, M, J, H, and L visas from qualifying applicants. In addition to the standard drop box requirements, H and L visa applicants must qualify for one of the exceptions to the...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a reminder to universities and F-1 students employed pursuant to post-completion optional practical training (OPT) to ensure that changes in employer information are updated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Per the USCIS...
Effective Monday, August 17, 2020, the U.S. consulates in India will have a limited number of slots available for F and J visa applicants. Per the announcement, emergency student and exchange visitor appointment requests submitted prior to August 12 will be processed first. The consulates...
Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it will "adjust USCIS fees by a weighted average increase of 20 percent to help recover its operational costs." The final rule is expected to be published in the Federal Register on August 3,...
The dean of Harvard University has advised its students that the legal settlement Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) reached with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding online courses does not apply to first-year students entering in F-1 status. This means that...
As previously reported, on July 14, 2020, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reinstated the March 2020 policy, allowing F-1 and M-1 students to temporarily take all courses online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following this announcement, however, numerous designated school officials (DSOs) have reported hearing...
Answer One in this situation could attempt to have the company file an H1B petition, requesting a change of status to H1B. However, there are some legal issues to this strategy that first should be discussed with a qualified attorney. (13.Jul.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...
This afternoon, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reached an agreement with Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to reinstate the March 2020 policy, allowing F-1 and M-1 students to temporarily take all courses online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Harvard and MIT...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced via Twitter that "[b]eginning July 15, US Embassies and Consulates may begin the phased resumption of routine visa services depending on local conditions." No further details have been provided.As previously reported, the consulates are not expected to...
As previously reported by MurthyDotCom, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are suing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an effort to block the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) from ending the temporary rule that allows schools to have F-1...
