SEVP COVID-19 FLEXIBILITIES TERMINATED: HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW May 12, 2023 Effective May 11, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) ended its Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance, consistent with the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, following the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency on April 10, 2023. While the SEVP’s COVID-19 guidance...Read More

Last Updated: June 2, 2023 On June 17, 2023, the nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J visas), will increase from $160 to $185. The fee for certain petition-based NIVs...Read More

Release Date 05/18/2023 The U.S. government is granting advance travel authorization for up to 30,000 noncitizens each month to come to the United States to seek parole on a case-by-case basis under the processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. Due to high interest in these processes, USCIS is updating the review process effective May 17, 2023....Read More

May 11, 2023. Office of Foreign Labor Certification Postpones Date for Submitting Revised PERM and CW-1 Forms in the Foreign Labor Application Gateway to June 1, 2023 Following up on the announcements of April 21, April 27, May 1, and May 8, 2023, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is postponing the date for...Read More

Release Date: May 10, 2023 The Department of Homeland Security and Department of State are focused on solutions and have a robust plan to humanely manage the border through deterrence, enforcement, and diplomacy. With the support of the Department of Defense and multiple countries across the Western Hemisphere, DHS and State are implementing that plan within...Read More

Release Date: May 5, 2023 WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is establishing a process to re-parole eligible Afghan nationals so they can continue living and working legally in the United States. Beginning in June, Afghan nationals who arrived in the United States under humanitarian parole through Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) will be...Read More

Release Date 05/04/2023 We now are affirmatively creating and providing documented evidence of their status to certain new asylees and lawful permanent residents upon our receiving notification that an immigration judge or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has granted status. Individuals granted asylum and lawful permanent resident status are still instructed and encouraged to contact...Read More

DHS ANNOUNCES SPECIAL STUDENT RELIEF EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR F-1 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FROM HONG KONG May 3, 2023 On May 3, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a notice in the Federal Register that provides Special Student Relief (SSR) employment benefits for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Hong Kong experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of...Read More

Release Date 04/19/2023 USCIS has extended the temporary suspension of the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, or E nonimmigrant status. The previously announced suspension, which was initially in place until May 17, 2023, has been extended through...Read More

lApril 5, 2023 Topics International Student and Scholar ServicesRegulatory Information Competencies Compliance Management On April 5, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) finally published a notice in the Federal Register describing the details of Special Student Relief (SSR) arrangements for eligible Ukrainian J-1 exchange visitors in the College and University Student category, effective until October 23, 2023. J-1 SSR...Read More