International students thinking about an EB-5 investment as their path to a green card now have an added layer of timing to work through. With the end of duration of status taking effect September 15, 2026, F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors will move from an open-ended admission tied to their program...
The Wall Street Journal reported on July 30, 2026 that the administration is considering a $100,000 fee tied to Optional Practical Training, the program that lets international students work in the United States for one to three years after graduating from a U.S. university. It's important to be precise about what this...
Once the DHS rule ending duration of status takes effect on September 15, 2026, the date printed on an F-1 student's, J-1 exchange visitor's, or I foreign media representative's Form I-94 becomes the hard deadline for their authorized stay. Anyone who needs more time to finish a program, complete Optional Practical Training,...
When DHS finalized its rule replacing duration of status with fixed admission periods for F, J, and I nonimmigrants, most of the attention went to the individual timelines: the four-year cap, the shortened 30-day grace period for F-1 students, and the new requirement to file for an extension of stay directly with...
DHS has published a final rule ending duration of status, D/S, for F academic students, J exchange visitors, and I representatives of foreign information media. This moves the change from proposal to reality. The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026, and takes effect 60 days later, on September 15, unless Congress...
In a significant ruling, U.S. District Judge William G. Young reaffirmed that international students and faculty enjoy the same First Amendment protections as U.S. citizens. The court struck down a Trump-era policy that sought to target noncitizen students and educators for arrest or deportation based on their pro-Palestinian political expression.
In U.S. immigration law, the terms “unlawful presence” and “unlawful status” are often used interchangeably. However, they are not the same — and confusing the two can lead to serious mistakes with long-term consequences. Recent policy shifts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) make this distinction more important than ever for students, workers,...
On August 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that could significantly reshape the way F-1 academic students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I-visa foreign media representatives are admitted to the United States.
If finalized, this rule would replace the long-standing practice...
If you're an international student, vocational trainee, or exchange visitor preparing for your U.S. journey, understanding the SEVIS fee process is essential. This update explains what the I-901 fee is, who needs to pay it, and how to stay compliant — so you can focus on your studies, not paperwork.
As the new academic year approaches, international students planning to study in the United States should be aware of important changes to the F-1 visa application process. With increased government scrutiny and new interview requirements in place, applicants must now take extra steps to ensure their applications are complete, accurate, and timely.
