News & Analysis as of

OPT Employment Authorization Documents (EAD)

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

DHS Updates STEM Designated Degree Program List for 24-Month STEM OPT Extensions

On July 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added the category of Environmental/Natural Resource Economics (03.0204) as a qualifying field of study to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. DHS did...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Navigating Delays: The F-1 STEM EAD Waiting Game Considerations for Employees and Employers

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on

Recent processing time trends at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) are raising concerns for both Employers and F-1 visa holders relying on automatic extensions of work authorization while awaiting the...more

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Help! I have foreign national employees who were not selected in the H-1B registration lottery, what are their options?

Dorsey & Whitney LLP on

The H-1B Electronic Registration Selection Process debuted in March 2020 for fiscal year 2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions. The barrier to entry dropped significantly with the introduction of the electronic registration...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to OPT Program for Foreign Students

The Supreme Court of the United States has declined to hear a challenge to a visa program that allows foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges and universities to work in the United States for up to three years. The...more

Fisher Phillips

What All K-12 Schools Need to Know About Immigration: New Form I-9 and Work Visa Options for Teachers

Fisher Phillips on

Immigration compliance remains a critical requirement for K-12 schools across the country. Not only do all schools need to ensure they comply with new I-9 rules and procedures, but many also have grown to rely on foreign...more

Littler

New Federal Lawsuit Against DHS Alleges APA Violations, Erroneous H-1B Visa Denials

Littler on

A lawsuit filed on August 10, 2023 against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security alleges that the agency violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. § 702, by exceeding its authority and determining that a...more

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

DHS Expands STEM OPT Fields for International Students

On July 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added eight fields of study to the Designated Degree Program List qualifying F-1 students to secure a STEM OPT (science, technology, engineering, mathematics...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

Not Selected for an H-1B? Alternate Work Authorization Options in the United States

The statutory limit of H-1Bs available per fiscal year is 65,000 for those who have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with 6,800 reserved for citizens of Chile and Singapore. An additional 20,000 are reserved for those who...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

USCIS Expands Premium Processing for Certain F-1 Students

On March 6, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced “the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science,...more

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

Premium Processing Available for Certain F-1 EAD Applications

OVERVIEW As previously forecasted, USCIS has now expanded premium processing service to I-765, Applications for Employment Authorization, filed by certain F-1 students seeing work authorization in connection with Optional...more

ArentFox Schiff

Time for Employers to Decide Who They Are Sponsoring for H-1B’s - Update

ArentFox Schiff on

It’s that time of year again when employers have to decide who they are sponsoring for an H-1B visa. What to Know - - The lottery registration period will be from noon EST on March 1, 2022 to noon EST on March 18, 2022,...more

Mintz - Immigration Viewpoints

Settlement Reached with USCIS in Class Action Suit Relating to OPT Processing Delays

USCIS recently settled a class action lawsuit regarding lengthy delays in processing of Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications for individuals in F-1 student status. The settlement is welcome news to F-1...more

Burr & Forman

So Your Employee Wasn’t Selected in the H-1B Lottery… Now What?

Burr & Forman on

On March 30, 2021, USCIS announced completion of the initial FY2022 H-1B Cap-Subject lottery selection process.  Beginning April 1st, those selected were eligible to start filing.  But what if your employee was not selected? ...more

Mintz - Immigration Viewpoints

F-1 Student OPT Applications Can Now Be Filed Electronically

On April 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...more

CDF Labor Law LLP

USCIS to Accept Electronic I-765 OPT EAD Applications

CDF Labor Law LLP on

The USCIS is modernizing its processes and moving towards electronic filing for student work documents.  On April 12, 2021, USCIS announced that it will begin accepting Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization...more

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

USCIS Expands Online Filing to  F-1 Students Seeking OPT Work Authorization

Today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students applying for work authorization in connection with optional practical training (OPT) may now file Form I-765, Application for Employment...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

USCIS Provides Filing Flexibility for International Student OPT Work Authorization Applications Affected by Service Delays

On February 26, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it was offering additional flexibility for international students affected by the delayed issuance of receipt notices for Form I-765,...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

USCIS Offers Flexibility For OPT Applications

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

The ability of foreign students in F-1 status to participate in post-completion Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) in their fields of study is an important aspect of their education–an opportunity that draws many foreign...more

Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP

New USCIS Flexibility Benefits For Foreign Students With OPT Work Authorization

Last week, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced changes that will be good news for foreign students seeking Optional Practical Training in areas related to their major areas of study. First, the 14...more

Dentons

Stem Opt Rules: An Update

Dentons on

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows F-1 students to work for 12 months after graduation (in most situations). F-1 students with U.S. degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM degrees) may...more

Williams Mullen

New Electronic H-1B Registration Process Confirmed for Fiscal Year 2021

Williams Mullen on

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed it will utilize a new electronic registration system for the Fiscal Year 2021 H-1B lottery.  By way of background, the H-1B visa program allows companies in the United...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

H-1B Work Permit Filings: Will You Beat the Cap? (Updated)

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on

Seyfarth Synopsis: Employers should identify as soon as possible any current employees and employment candidates who may require H-1B work permit sponsorship before October 1, 2021, given that it is anticipated USCIS will...more

Poyner Spruill LLP

Site Visits by ICE are Now a Reality for Employers Hiring some Student Visa Holders - New Compliance Limited to STEM Graduates on...

Poyner Spruill LLP on

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has instituted a new compliance activity which could surprise the unprepared employer who has hired a recent graduate on Optional Practical Training (OPT). The site visits are...more

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP

Compliance News Flash

Arnall Golden Gregory LLP is pleased to provide you with the Compliance News Flash, which includes current news briefs relevant to background screening, immigration and data privacy, for the benefit and interest of our...more

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Litigation may be Key in Response to Rising Denials of Employment-Based Visas. What Strategies Should Employers Consider when...

Dorsey & Whitney LLP on

Many U.S. employers have recently experienced frustration over legal obstacles to keeping high quality foreign-national employees. These valuable employees have often been with the company since finishing a degree and...more

56 Results
 / 
View per page
Page: of 3

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
- hide
- hide