July 17, 2026 On July 17, 2026, DHS published a final rule eliminating “Duration of Status (D/S)” for individuals in F and J nonimmigrant status. The rule is final, but it has not yet… Read more »
Author: ogsadvising
USCIS Policy Updates – Updated July 17, 2026
Updated July 17, 2026: USCIS Policy Alert: Hold and Review of Immigration Benefits for Individuals from the “High Risk Countries” Listed in Presidential Proclamations “PP” 10949 and 10998 On June 5, 2026, the U.S. District Court for… Read more »
Updated Travel Ban Restricts Visa Issuance and Travel to the U.S. for Nationals of 19 Additional Countries
Updated Travel Ban Restricts Visa Issuance and Travel to the U.S. for Nationals of 19 Additional Countries December 17, 2025 The Trump administration released a new presidential proclamation that will further restrict travel into the United… Read more »
Summer 2026 Calendar Changes for International Students
Beginning in Summer 2026, Northeastern’s summer calendar is changing from three separate terms (Summer 1, Summer 2, Full Summer) to one continuous Summer Semester (May-August). Who Must Enroll in the Summer Semester? You must enroll in… Read more »
DHS Ends Automatic EAD Extensions for Certain Applicants
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… Read more »
Visa Interview Appointments Should Be Scheduled in Country of Residence or Nationality
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… Read more »
Changes to Visa Interview Waiver Policy for F/J Visa Renewal Applicants
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…. Read more »
OPT and STEM OPT Fee Errors Reported
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… Read more »
New U.S. Visa Screening Procedures
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… Read more »
U.S. Department of State Resumes New Visa Issuance
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… Read more »