Category: F Visas

If you or someone in your family is applying for a U.S. visa in 2025, there are several important updates you should know about. The U.S. government has made changes that affect how student visas are processed, how interviews are scheduled, and how long your case might take. Below is a clear summary of what’s… Read More

  In an earlier notice, the Department of Homeland Security’s Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) suspended certain requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria and who have been experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the civil war in Syria since March 2011 (PDF). A new notice… Read More

On March 11, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule amending regulations to expand optional practical training (OPT) for students with U.S. degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and create new obligations for F-1 students and F-1 employers starting May 10, 2016.  OPT is a form of temporary employment… Read More

On October 19, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new proposed rule on expanding F-1 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) optional practical training (OPT). Specifically, the proposal would allow F-1 STEM students who have elected to pursue 12 months of OPT in the United States to extend the OPT period by… Read More

On October 2, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a new proposed rule on expanding F-1 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) optional practical training (OPT). The rule awaits OMB approval before it can be published for public comment. Among other developments, in November 2014, DHS… Read More