On July 12, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security announced an update to the STEM Designated Degree Program List which included the addition of 8 CIP codes. The newly STEM-designated CIP codes are as follows: Landscape Architecture (04.0601) Institutional Research (13.0608) Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Technology/Technician (15.0407) Composite Materials Technology/Technician (15.0617) Linguistics and Computer Science (30.4801) Developmental and Adolescent Psychology (42.2710) Geospatial Intelligence (43.0407) Demography and Population Studies (45.0501) Students who graduate with degrees under these CIP codes will…
Author: mellishj
SEVP COVID-19 Flexibilities Terminated
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 is terminated as of May 11, 2023, Active F and M nonimmigrant students will be able to complete the 2022-23 academic year under the COVID-19 flexibilities through the 2023 summer semester. However, Active F and M…
DHS Redesignates and Extends Special Student Relief Employment Benefits to Hong Kong Resident Students Experiencing Severe Economic Hardship
May 3: On May 3, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Federal Register Notice announcing the suspension of certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students who are Hong Kong residents and are experiencing severe economic hardship as a result of the current crisis in Hong Kong. This notice redesignates Special Student Relief (SSR) to include eligible students who are in a lawful F-1 status as of Jan. 26, 2023, and extends relief until Feb. 5, 2025….
U.S. Department of State Provides Updated Visa Issuance Guidance
May 2, 2023: Updated Guidance on Visa Issuance In February 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) provided updated guidance that consular officers can now issue an F or M student visa up to 365 days in advance of an international student’s program start date. This new guidance does not change the requirement for issuing Forms I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee, or seeking admission…