Tag: F-1 Visas

Recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced its expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optimal Practice Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and wish to request a premium processing upgrade.  Additionally, F-1 students […]

The Department of State (DOS) recently announced that it is extending its policy to waive in-person consular interviews for certain nonimmigrant applicants through December 31, 2023. Consular officers will have the authority to waive the interview requirement on a case-by-case basis for both first-time and renewing applicants. Individuals who hold the following nonimmigrant visa categories […]

On January 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is implementing its final phase of premium processing expansion for Form I-140, Immigration Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 preference categories. This final phase applies to all new (initial) petitions, in addition to all previously filed Form I-140 petitions […]

If you’re a student in the United States, there are a few different ways you can get authorization to work. In this video, we’ll discuss the Post-Completion Optional Practical Training program for students with F-1 visas. We’ll cover who’s eligible, how to apply, and what to expect. This program allows students who have completed their […]

Watch Associate Attorney Erica Chiodo’s client approval story in the video below relating to an H-1B cap exemption. If you have any questions, contact Berardi Immigration Law today. We would love to hear from you.

For many international students studying in the United States, there are quite a few options to stay in the country after graduation and work to gain experience. International students attending U.S. colleges and universities must have an F-1 visa to attend and can gain practical experience in their degree field after graduation by applying for […]

Qualified F-1 foreign student visa holders who are transitioning to an H-1B work visa may be able to extend their status and work authorization beyond the period initially authorized with a Cap Gap Extension. Since new H-1Bs do not become available each year until October 1st, students whose F-1 status ends between April 1st and […]

U.S. immigration agencies and the Biden Administration are working together to provide new guidance, policies, and incentives to attract and retain STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree holders to bolster the U.S. workforce. These goals are consistent with President Biden’s goal of removing barriers to legal immigration as evidenced by Executive Order 14012, Restoring […]

Historically, USCIS has only approved applications requesting a change to F-1 status if it falls within 30 days of the program start date listed on the applicant’s Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I20). As such, USCIS has required nonimmigrants who are applying for a COS to continuously apply for and obtain nonimmigrant […]

The U.S. continues to limit travel into the U.S. due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. As many are aware, India is experiencing the world’s worst Covid-19 outbreak. The country is facing a new wave of COVID-19 due to the widespread, on-going transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and now accounts for over one-third […]