When Immigration Matters

Premium Processing for F1 Students, NIW and EB1 Multinational Managers

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Thu, Jan 12, 2023 @ 7:08 PM

On January 12, 2023, United States Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) announced that it will add the option of Premium Processing to the following categories of applications:

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UPDATE: SEVP No Longer Providing Exemptions for Int'l Students Taking Online Classes During Fall 2020 Semester

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Tue, Jul 07, 2020 @ 6:56 PM

On July 6, 2020, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced that it would no longer provide exemptions for international students taking online classes due to the pandemic during the fall 2020 semester. ICE also issued a Broadcast Message with slightly more detail, and indicated the rule will be published in the Federal Register as a Temporary Final Rule. 

Penn State University’s Immigration Rights Clinic has published this useful Frequently Asked Questions Sheet which may assist Foreign Students in answering common questions arising from this announcement.

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New Regulations Announced for International Students Studying in the USA This Fall

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Mon, Jul 06, 2020 @ 8:36 PM

Today, Monday July 6, 2020 SEVP (student exchange visitor program) announced its modifying its requirements for foreign F and M students to study in the USA for the fall semester. 

Previously, SEVP instituted a temporary exemption regarding the online study policy for the spring and summer semesters due to Covid-19. This policy permitted F and M students to take more online courses than normally allowed for purposes of maintaining a full course of study to maintain their F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant status during the COVID-19. 

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5 Options to Get from F1 Student Visa to Green Card

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Tue, Oct 17, 2017 @ 11:30 AM

The U.S. is not just home of the world’s largest and most robust economy, which attracts investors and entrepreneurs from across the globe. It is also an academic and research leader that, each year, attracts hundreds of thousands of students from around the world who wish to advance their knowledge.  

If you are a student currently living in the U.S. on an active F1 visa, then you may be eligible to apply for a Green Card (a.k.a. Permanent Resident Card). Obtaining this will allow you to legally live and work in the U.S.

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NEW 24 Month STEM Employment Authorization (OPT) for F-1 Students

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Thu, May 12, 2016 @ 4:29 PM

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US. Customs no longer providing admission stamps for students

Posted by Karen-Lee Pollak on Fri, Sep 07, 2012 @ 10:15 AM
As of Aug. 10, 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) no longer provides admission stamps on Forms I-20/DS-2019 for prospective and returning international students and scholars (traveling with F, M, and J visas) seeking admission to the United States. This change makes CBP processes consistent with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) recent change to stop stamping Forms I-20/DS-2019.
USCIS implemented this change as part of the launch of its online immigration benefits system, USCIS Electronic Immigration System, as it transforms the agency from a paper-based system to an online environment. ( USCIS Electronic Immigration System )

Although placing an admission stamp on Forms I-20/DS-2019 has been a longstanding practice at CBP, it is not required. While the admission stamps on Forms I-20/DS-2019 are not indicators of lawful status or academic program duration, some state and federal benefit granting agencies have required international students and scholars to present stamped versions. State requirements vary.

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US Immigration Basics for South Africans | Nonimmigrant Visas (Part 2)

Posted by Karen Pollak on Thu, Sep 09, 2010 @ 4:33 PM

What is a Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Visa?

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