This Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 8 PM to 11 PM EDT, the SEVP Portal will not be available. During this time, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will be making a technical update that will fix issues in the portal. The notice our office received indicates that this update will correct issues related to the OPT start date and student issues with password resets.
Category: Government Update
Government updates and notifications
Premium Processing Expanded for Form I-539
Today, USCIS announced that they are expanding premium processing for Form I-539 Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status. This means that F-1 or J-1 students applying to change their status within the U.S. may request premium processing when filing their application. There are two phases for the premium processing implementation. Starting June 13, students who have a pending Form I-539 may file the I-907 for premium processing. Starting June 26, students may file the I-907 for premium processing request…
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…
03/28/2023: Interim Final Rule Regarding Digital Signing and Transmission of Form DS-2019
March 28, 2023: The Department of State announced an Interim Final Rule allowing the digital signing and electronic transmission of DS-2019s beginning April 27, 2023. In effect, this will allow for J-1 students to request and receive their DS-2019 directly through their MyISSS portal.
01/20/2021: Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to The United States
On January 20: The President of the United States signed a Proclamation revoking the previously signed Executive Order 13780 and Proclamations 9645, 9723 and 9983, collectively referred to as the travel ban. The revocation of these discriminatory bans will allow for the resumption of visa processing by embassies and consulates around the world which had previously been limited by the travel ban.
06/22/2020: Proclamation extending suspension of immigrants to the U.S.
On June 22, the President signed a Proclamation that extends the suspension of entry to the U.S. of immigrants abroad seeking U.S. permanent residency (adjustment of status) and individuals who present a risk to the U.S. labor market due to COVID-19. This proclamation does not apply to F or J academic visas who will enter the U.S. for the purpose of study. J-1 academic exchange categories, and J-1 professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, and college or university students are excluded…
06/08/2020: UW Offices of Federal Relations, Global Affairs, Graduate School, and Research respond to the May 29 proclamation suspending the entry of certain students and researchers from the PRC
The UW is partnering across and beyond the University to gain clarity around this proclamation and better understand its impact on Chinese students, scholars, and faculty. These efforts are lead by the UW Offices of Federal Relations, Global Affairs, Graduate School, and Research. The UW is committed to continuing our mission as a global university and to supporting all members of our community, no matter where they call home. We will continue to admit and welcome Chinese students and scholars…
05/29/2020: Proclamation issued suspending the entry as nonimmigrants of certain students and researchers from the PRC
The U.S. President issued a proclamation that suspends the entry into the U.S. of Chinese nationals who either receives/received funding from, currently is or was employed by, studies/studied at, or conducts/conducted research at on behalf of an entity in the PRC that supports the PRC’s military-civil fusion strategy and is seeking entry under an F or J visa to study or conduct research in the U.S. The U.S. government did not release a list of associated entities that would be…