Tag: STEM

Since 1990, the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) has provided that certain individuals eligible under the Employment-based, second preference (EB-2) immigrant visa classification may obtain a waiver of the job offer requirement if the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) deems such waiver to be in the “national interest.” This waiver provision applies only to […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is making strides to simplify the application process for EB-1 immigrant visa classifications. In a recent policy update, USCIS has issued guidance in its Policy Manual to provide greater clarity regarding the types of evidence considered when evaluating eligibility for the extraordinary ability (E11) and outstanding professor or researcher […]

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 […]

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 […]

On February 4th, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the America COMPLETES Act which is a legislative attempt to increase the flow of STEM field immigrants to the U.S. The Bill was passed with the votes swaying 222 for and 210 against. The content of the Bill has several provisions, mainly boosting STEM industries […]

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 […]

On March 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing under one of these categories: (c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT; (c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and (c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for science, […]