The Trouble with International Students and Online Courses — What You Need to Know Now
Giselle Carson Jul 8, 2020 in Immigration
Due to COVID-19, SEVP instituted a temporary exemption earlier this year. It allowed international students to take more online classes for the spring and summer semesters than normally permitted for the purposes of maintaining a full course of study, which enables them to keep their legal F-1 and M-1 nonimmigrant status. Under the proposed modifications, international students will not be able to obtain a visa to come here or remain in the US if their […]
Continue ReadingAre You Ready to Complete I-9 Verification for an F-1 STEM OPT EAD? Read This First.
Giselle Carson Jun 9, 2020 in Immigration
Some F-1 students may apply for work experience for up to 36 months, something that benefits both them and employers. To enjoy this benefit, F-1 students have to correctly apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and go through the I-9 Verification process. How do you do this? First, STEM students need to remember that they must apply correctly and timely for this benefit. Just one day of delay can make the difference between being […]
Continue ReadingWhat You Need to Know about This Years’ Cap-Gap and H-1B Cap Petitions Pending Adjudication
Giselle Carson Jun 9, 2020 in FAQ
We are happy to report that we have begun to receive receipt notices for some H-1B FY2021 cap-subject petitions! Below are answers to FAQs to help employers and their F-1 cap-gap students continue to plan for the H-1B cap-gap. Have receipt notices from the Vermont Service Center come in yet? No. We’re still waiting for the receipt notices for the H-1B cap petitions filed with the Vermont Service Center (VSC), which has reported having issues […]
Continue ReadingHow Do I Complete the I-9 Verification of an F-1 Student Under the H-1B Cap-Gap?
Giselle Carson May 19, 2020 in H-1B/H-4
Some F-1 students whose H-1B petitions were timely filed with an October 1 start date and requested change of status are eligible for a cap-gap extension of status and employment authorization. The cap-gap is the period between when the F-1 student status would end and the H-1B status begins on October 1. Qualifying students are legally able to live and work in the United States during the “cap-gap” period. The cap-gap extension ends on September […]
Continue ReadingA Cap-Gap extension allows an eligible F-1 student to bridge the gap between the end of F-1 status and start of H-1B status, so the student can remain in the US and work during the ‘gap’. This PDF answers FAQs about this unique extension. Download the PDF.
Continue ReadingVideo: Should I Apply for STEM OPT if Selected under the H-1B Lottery?
Giselle Carson Apr 10, 2020 in H-1B/H-4
Giselle Carson shares guidance for F-1 students considering applying for a 24-month STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training) Extension. Watch the video.
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