Major Immigration Updates

January 2025

H-1B Modernization Rule Issued; Changes in F-1 OPT/STEM OPT – H-1B Cap Gap Authorization Among Other Updates
January 13, 2025

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently finalized the remaining provisions of the H-1B Modernization Act first introduced in October 2023.  Certain provisions related to the H-1B cap were implemented in March […]

December 2024

Potential impact on international students and scholars of a US government shutdown
December 20, 2024

UPDATE: 12/21/2024: Early Saturday morning, December 21, the U.S. Senate voted to pass, and President Biden signed, the continuing resolution which extends government funding through March 14, 2025, thus avoiding […]

USCIS Updates Interpretation of F-1 Five-Month Temporary Absence Rule
December 12, 2024

On November 26, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated their policy manual to remove conflicting guidance on study away programs that was posted on August 27, 2024.  Specifically, […]

J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List updated – Certain Countries Removed Retroactively
December 11, 2024

On Monday, December 9, 2024, the US Department of State published Public Notice 12555 in the Federal Register, updating the Exchange Visitor Skills List. The new Skills List becomes effective […]

November 2024

Post-Election Reflection
November 12, 2024

To our Current International Students and Recent Alumni, I know many of us are still reflecting on the results of last week’s U.S. elections.  As with every election, when there […]

U.S. Visa Guidance for Individuals Affected by Events in Lebanon
November 4, 2024

UPDATE: The U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon has announced it has resumed visa processing at the Embassy effective January 1, 2025. Anyone interested in applying for a new entry visa […]

October 2024

USDHS Announces Flight Restrictions on Flights Carrying Travelers from Rwanda
October 23, 2024

In an October 17, 2024 announcement, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) has directed all flights to the United States carrying persons who have recently traveled […]

September 2024

State Department Announces Extension of Post-Degree STEM J-1 Academic Training Eligibility for Undergraduate and Pre-Doctoral Degree Programs to June 30, 2026.
September 17, 2024

In an email to J Exchange Visitor Visa Program Sponsors on September 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of State has extended the post-degree J-1 Academic Training STEM Extension until June 30, 2026 for students who have […]

May 2024

FBI Warns of Scams Targeting Chinese Students/Scholars at U.S. Universities
May 16, 2024

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published a warning about a current scam targeting Chinese communities in the U.S., including Chinese students attending U.S. colleges and universities. The scam […]

April 2024

U.S. Suspends Visa Services in Haiti
April 19, 2024

On April 15, 2024, the U.S. Department of State announced that the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti has suspended routine nonimmigrant and immigrant visa interview appointments until further notice.  The […]