Author: ogsadvising

December 5, 2025: USCIS Policy Alert: Additional Scrutiny of Immigration Benefits for Individuals – from the “High Risk Countries” Listed in Presidential Proclamation “PP” 10949 On December 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Memorandum placing a processing hold on pending and approved immigration benefits  connected to the June 2025 Presidential… Read more »

Understanding the New Academic Calendar  Beginning in Summer 2026, Northeastern’s summer academic calendar will change. This change affects how semester-based international students studying on U.S. campuses manage summer enrollment if the summer semester is a required term of study. This guide explains what’s changing, what this may mean for your maintenance of F-1/J-1 status, and… Read more »

On October 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule that ends the practice of automatically extending employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain categories of individuals who apply for renewal.  This change does not impact F-1 alumni applying for the STEM OPT extension.  F-1 alumni continue to qualify for an automatic 180-day extension of employment… Read more »

On August 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule that would eliminate “Duration of Status (D/S)” for individuals in F and J nonimmigrant status.     This is a proposed rule only and, at present, nothing has changed. More on this below.    What is Duration of Status (D/S)?   Most… Read more »

On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) announced that effective immediately, applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas, including F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 visas, “should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of nationality or residence”. If you are from a country where the U.S. is… Read more »

Effective September 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of State will require that all F-1 and J-1 students and scholars, including their F-2 or J-2 dependents, attend in-person interviews at U.S. Embassies or Consulates abroad when applying to renew their visas.   This change marks an end to broader flexibility for interview waivers that were provided… Read more »

As of July 25, 2025, reports indicate that fees for Pre/Post-OPT and STEM OPT now match the fees as outlined by USCIS on their Fee Schedule.   We have been notified by several of our international students who are filing I-765s to apply for Pre-Completion OPT (C(3)a), Post-Completion OPT (C(3)b) and the STEM OPT Extension… Read more »

The U.S. Department of State (DoS) has announced expanded vetting of “online presence” for all F and J visa applicants, including students and exchange visitors. As part of this consular process, applicants are required to: Disclose all social media identifiers on the DS-160 visa application Set their social media profiles to “public” for consular review… Read more »

The Trump administration has issued a presidential proclamation that will significantly impact international travel and the issuance of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Beginning at 12:01 AM EST on June 9, 2025, visa issuance will be suspended for individuals from specific countries. This includes a full suspension for citizens of 12 countries across all visa types… Read more »

June 20, 2025 – U.S. Department of State Resumes Scheduling F/J Visa Appointments! The U.S. Department of State has officially resumed scheduling visa interviews for F-1 and J-1 student visa applicants. This means that students and scholars can now book their visa appointment at a local U.S. embassy or consulate. This is great news for all incoming… Read more »