Proposal to revoke H4 work permit getting final touches at DHS as H1B spouses brace for tough choices
The proposal to rescind work authorisation of H1B spouses (on H4 visas) in America is getting its final touches at the Department of Homeland Security before being sent off for approval by Donald Trump’s budget chief after which it will be published and open for comments, usually for 60 days.
Accrual of Unlawful Presence and F, J, and M Nonimmigrants
This Policy Memorandum (PM) provides guidance to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers and assists USCIS officers in the calculation of unlawful presence of those in student (F nonimmigrant), exchange visitor (J nonimmigrant), or vocational student(M nonimmigrant) status and their dependents while in the United States.
Automatic Termination of Optional Practical Training for F-1 Students If They Transfer to a Different School or Begin Study at Another Educational Level
USCIS reminds F-1 students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) that transferring to another school or beginning study at another educational level (for example, beginning a master’s program after completing a bachelor’s degree) automatically terminates their OPT as well as their corresponding employment authorization document (EAD).
USCIS Changes Policies on Unlawful Presence Calculation and Worksite Location Requirements for Foreign Students
In a recent analysis of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)—the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) system used to monitor academic students (F-1), vocational students (M-1) and exchange visitors (J-1)—DHS determined that of the nearly 1.5 million students and exchange who were either expected to change status or depart the United States in FY 2016 there was an estimated overstay rate of 6.19% for F-1s, 11.60% for M-1s and 3.80 % for J-1s.
H-1B restrictions motivate tech talent to move to Canada
H-1B visas are becoming harder to get, forcing local businesses to set up shop in Canada - who has a more friendly program for tech and high skilled workers.
Controversial USCIS Memo Draws Major H-1B Lawsuit
n February 22, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a controversial memo designed to make it difficult (some say “impossible”) for professionals in H-1B status to provide services at the site of their employer’s customers.
What Do F-1 Students Need to Know as They Await the Fate of Their H-1B Cap Petition?
As reported on April 6, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received more H-1B cap petitions than the statutory available visas for both the general cap of 65,000 available H-1B visas and the additional 20,000 for U.S. advanced degree exemption, also known as the “master’s cap.” We understand how stressful it is for both the H-1B employers and the foreign national candidate as they await the results of the H-1B lottery (“work by lottery” program).
USCIS Completes Data Entry of Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap Subject Petitions
USCIS has completed data entry for all fiscal year 2019 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in our computer-generated random selection process.
Breaking News: New Unlawful Presence memo on F, J, M visas
Breaking News: New Unlawful Presence memo on F, J, M visas
USCIS Revises Unlawful Presence Rules for Students and Exchange Visitors
F, J and M nonimmigrants who fail to maintain nonimmigrant status before August 9, 2018 will generally start accruing unlawful presence on that day.