As the United States carries out projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act, the manufacturing industry must prepare to face staffing challenges in meeting future demand. Immigration can help address the demand. Please see our full article here.
J-1 Trainees
Eight Fields of Study Added Under STEM OPT Eligibility for Students
As part of the Biden Administration’s initiative to retain high-skilled foreign nationals in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it is adding eight new fields as qualifying fields of study for STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) Optional Practical Training (OPT).
STEM OPT is a 24-month extension of Optional Practical Training…
Increase in Nonimmigrant Visas Fees at Consulates Delayed to June 17, 2023
The Department of State has delayed the effective date of the increase in consular fees from May 30, 2023, to June 17, 2023 (to provide a 60-day delay after the final rule was received by Congress).
The most relevant fee increases remain:
| Visa Type | Current Fee | Revised Fee |
| Non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas: B/1-B/2, F, M |
Nonimmigrant Visas Fees at Consulates to Increase May 30, 2023
On May 30, 2023, fees for nonimmigrant visas at all consulates abroad will increase. The increase can be avoided if the visa fee is paid on or after October 1, 2022, and before May 30, 2023, and an interview is scheduled within 365 days of payment. The interview need not take place during the 365…
USCIS Premium Processing Expansion for F-1, EB-1, EB-2, Others
USCIS has expanded premium processing for F-1 students to pending Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) applications based on Optional Practice Training (OPT) and STEM OPT. On April 3, 2023, the same will be extended to new EAD applications for OPT and STEM OPT. The cost for this premium processing will be $1,500 and the timeframe will…
As J-1 Host Organizations, Businesses Can Hire Qualified Foreign STEM Students, Graduates
The Biden-Harris Administration has taken steps to enhance the ability of U.S. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) businesses to hire qualified foreign students and graduates as exchange visitors. Interested STEM businesses could become Host Organizations for J-1 Visa Exchange Visitors.
In a statement released by the White House, STEM talent is identified as “critical…
End of Paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will no longer issue a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, to individuals arriving to the United States at a land border. Now, the information that was on the I-94 is on the CBP’s I-94 website and available on the CBP One Mobile application.
It has taken some time…
DHS on New Premium Processing
The Department of Homeland Security set out the specifics about the upcoming new premium processing benefits in the Federal Register on March 30, 2022. The details, however, did not include any specific implementation dates, which it said depends on when the revenues exist to cover potential costs.
Policy Changes Aim to Expand Opportunities for Foreign STEM Graduates, Others
Recognizing the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) graduates to the U.S. economy, the Biden Administration has made three policy changes that expand eligibility.
The changes are as follows:
- Adding 22 new degree fields to the STEM list so that more F-1 graduates can qualify for three years, instead of one year,
…
Five U.S. Immigration Law Trends to Watch in 2022
By Otieno B. Ombok on
Posted in Biden Administration, Compliance and Enforcement, Congress, COVID-19, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), E-1 / E-2, EADs, EB-2, I-9 and E-Verify, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), J-1 Trainees, L-1A / L-1B, L-2, Legislation, O-1, Students / CPT / OPT / STEM, US Immigration, USCIS
A series of significant developments in U.S. immigration law has already marked the beginning of 2022 and more can be expected. Please see our Legal Update for what to anticipate as the year progresses.