The new rule regulating the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for F-1 students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), becomes effective on May 10, 2016.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to amend F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education. Specifically, the proposal would allow such F-1 STEM students who have elected to pursue 12 months of OPT in the United States to extend the OPT period by 24 months (STEM OPT extension). This 24-month extension would effectively replace the 17-month STEM OPT extension currently available to certain STEM students.
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa?
On April 1, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2017 cap. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming.
The congressionally mandated cap on H-1B visas for FY 2017 is 65,000. The first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher are exempt from the 65,000 cap.
On March 1, USCIS began transferring certain cases to the Potomac Service Center (PSC) from other service centers to balance workloads. The affected casework includes Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, filed by F-1 and M-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and J-1 dependents.
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions to reach the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the
DHS extended the designations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an additional six months. Although there have been significant improvements in the conditions in all three countries since their designations for TPS in November 2014, the lingering effects of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak and continued recovery challenges support this six-month extension. The extended designation is effective May 22, 2016, through Nov. 21, 2016.
The STEM Designated Degree Program list is a complete list of fields of study DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) fields of study for purposes of the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension described at 8 CFR 214.2(f). Under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(2), a STEM field of study is a field of study “included in the Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs taxonomy within the two-digit series containing engineering, biological sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences, or a related field.
Topics for Discussion:
FAQ: 221(g) Administrative Processing problems with visa stamping; H-1 entering USA when visa is about to expire; Advantages of Special Handling process for PERM university professors; Travel while H-1 COS is pending; Does H-4 EAD has to be applied again if H-1 changes jobs?
Other: TPS from Nepal and AOS or COS; COS or visa stamping for F-1; 240 days H-1 pending; Applying for naturalization; PERM appeal; Changing employers after I-140 approval; I-140 approved, Applying for H-1 extension with another employer; Changing EB-1B job profile after green card approval; Options if OPT is denied; H-1B transfer through multiple employers; U visa; AC21 I-140 revocation when employer is out of business; Continuing (simultaneously) with old job even after green card is approved; etc.
Workload Transfer from the Vermont Service Center to the Nebraska Service Center
USCIS recently began transferring certain casework from the Vermont Service Center (VSC) to the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) to balance workloads and decrease processing times.
The NSC will now process some:
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for petitioners requesting H-1B nonimmigrant classification;
As you study for the U.S. history and government (civics) test, make sure that you know the most current answers to these questions. Periodically, answers change to reflect the results of federal and state elections and appointments or to clarify content and ensure consistency in terminology. The revised answers to the questions below are effective immediately.
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Thanks for the great work! sincerely, gary kong
Mr Khanna and his crew are an amazing bunch of people. 6 years ago when I was exploited by my 1st employer Mr Khanna had responded to as SOS email from me.
This willingness to help cemented my decision to come back to Mr. Khanna for my H1 and Green Card application. Throughout both processes Mr. Khanna's entire crew was extremely helpful and responsive. Mr. Khanna's staff understands completely the feeling of insecurity and uncertainty posed by the delay in the immigration process and empathize with their clients.
I Would not hesitate to recommend their services to anybody I know.
It is the personal rapport and responsiveness that makes all the difference.
I received my permanent resident stamp in my passport on June 18, 2004, ending these significant and challenging 5 years of my life. I would like to thank to Rajiv S. Khanna and his staff for their outstanding work to help me in this important process.
I would like to mention that due to the immense I-485 backlog I had to have my EAD and AP renewed each 2 times. The Law offices didn't charge me for the unexpected extra amount of work.
I would like to show my special thanks to Leila Lehman, who was always there to answer instantly to all my questions and worries during the last 27 months of I-485 processing.
Also, I would like to thank to the entire staff especially to Diane Lombardo, Homa Naderi, Lakshmi Kompella, Mathew Chacko, Pooja Sama, Savita Krishnamurthy, Shivane Sharma, Subha Chennunhotta, Suman Bhasin and Vijay Durgam.
I have a couple of friends who went through the permanent residency adjustment of status process helped by the team from the Law Office of Rhajiv S. Khanna, and I witnessed their smooth processing.
I will always think about Mr. Khanna's team as great professionals and great people who helped me with, perhaps, my most important step in my life.
Folks at the Law offices of Rajiv S. Khanna are thorough professionals. My application was for H1B and was handled by Sirisha Durgam. These guys have been very responsive and know what they are talking about. I would highly recommend their services.
Thanks to Mr.Khanna for the nice service provided to me.
I completed the entire immigration process in 17 months. Record time. Many thanks to Mr. Khanna, Vijay, Shivane and Leila.
The service your office provided was exemplary, I got feed back on everything immediately and my GC processing went very smoothly. Thank you very much.
Dear Readers,
My experience went really well perhaps due to changes in the immigration procedures meant to make some applications process faster so that one can go on with life while waiting to gain finally permanent residence status?
I applied for a permanent residence through marriage to a US citizen while in F-1 status. Please note that I applied after our two year anniversary so the conditional permanent resident status would not apply. Here is the time line for my application process:
I would like to thank you all at the law offices, Mr. Khanna, Charu, Rena and all others involved who worked hard on my case. I was quiet nervous as my case was the first such complex cases being sent out (I was on OPT and H1 cap was reached), but I did not have an iota of doubt in the proficiency and efficiency of your office. I am glad I opted for the services of Law Offices of Rajiv Khanna.