Summary On October 31, 2023, the Department of State announced that the U.S. government and the government of Ukraine have agreed to extend Special Student Relief (SSR) to J-1 students from Ukraine through April 19, 2025. The original SSR notice was set to expire on October 23, 2023. What is Special Student Relief? Special Student Relief (SSR) is the suspension of specific immigration regulations for J-1 students who face unexpected hardship due to a situation in their home country. SSR…
Category: Government Update
Government updates and notifications
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance for 2-year Foreign Residence Requirement for J Exchange Visitors
On October 24, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance related to the 2-year Foreign Residence requirement for certain J exchanger visitors. The guidance clarifies 1) how USCIS determines whether the requirement has been met and 2) the evidence a benefit requestor may submit to show compliance with the requirement among other issues. What is the 2-year Foreign Residence Requirement? Some J-1 Exchange Visitors are subject to a 2-year foreign residence requirement. This is sometimes referred to…
DHS Updates Tip Sheet to Help Avoid Form I-765 delays
The Department of Homeland Security’s CIS Ombudsman unit recently released an update to their tip sheet to help F-1 students avoid Form I-765 delays. This tip sheet provides guidance for F-1 students applying for OPT work authorization. What are the key points in the tip sheet? Check USCIS’ website for updates before you submit your Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Make sure Form I-20, Certification of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is signed, dated, and endorsed for the correct…
DHS Extends Special Student Relief for Students from Cameroon
Summary On October 06, 2023 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended Special Student Relief (SSR) to F-1 students from Cameroon, effective from December 08, 2023 through June 07, 2025. The original SSR notice was set to expire on December 07, 2023. What is Special Student Relief? Special Student Relief (SSR) is the suspension of specific immigration regulations for F-1 students who face unexpected hardship due to a situation in their home country. SSR typically provides eligible students flexibilities related to…
DHS Extends Special Student Relief for Students from Afghanistan
Summary On September 21, 2023 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended Special Student Relief (SSR) to F-1 students from Afghanistan, effective from September 25, 2023 through May 20, 2025. The original SSR notice was set to expire on November 20, 2023. What is Special Student Relief? Special Student Relief (SSR) is the suspension of specific immigration regulations for F-1 students who face unexpected hardship due to a situation in their home country. This particular notice suspends applicable on-campus and off-campus…
SEVP Allows for Electronic Signatures and Transmission of the Form I-983
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recently updated Form I-983 instructions to remove language requiring wet signatures. The Form I-983 is a training plan developed between the F-1 student and their STEM employer. It is submitted to ISS in the process of applying for the STEM OPT Extension I-20. What kind of signatures are now accepted? SEVP provided guidance that the following types of signatures are accepted: Electronic signatures using software programs or applications. Students and employers may sign…
DHS Extends Special Student Relief for Students from South Sudan
Summary On September 5, 2023 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended Special Student Relief (SSR) to F-1 students from South Sudan, effective from November 04, 2023 through May 03, 2025. The original SSR notice was set to expire on November 3, 2023. What is Special Student Relief? Special Student Relief (SSR) is the suspension of specific immigration regulations for F-1 students who face unexpected hardship due to a situation in their home country. This particular notice suspends applicable on-campus and…
DHS Extends Special Student Relief for Students from Sudan and Ukraine
Summary On August 18th, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended Special Student Relief (SSR) for students from Sudan and Ukraine through April 19, 2025 due to ongoing situations in those countries. What is Special Student Relief? Special Student Relief (SSR) is the suspension of specific immigration regulations for F-1 students who face unexpected hardship due to a situation in their home country. SSR typically provides eligible students flexibilities related to employment and enrollment requirements. Who is eligible for the…
DHS Announces Updated STEM Designated Degree Program List
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…
New Guidance for J-1 Students
On June 8, 2023, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Private Sector Exchange released Guidance Directive 2023-01 which clarifies guidance regarding exchange visitors’ participation in remote work and enrollment and online classes. As of July 1, 2023, the following policies for J-1 students will be in effect: J-1 students may enroll in one online course towards full-time enrollment. J-1 students may engage in hybrid academic training. Up to 40% of the training may be remote….