Immigration
Alien Registration Requirement
March 17, 2025
USCIS will require nonimmigrants to comply with the new alien registration form and evidence of registration requirement by April 11, 2025. While most of our international visitors are already registered, this new requirement will impact dependents. If a dependent (i.e., F-2, J-2, H-4) will be turning 14 years of age, then they will need to […]
Upcoming New USA Presidential Administration
January 16, 2025
As we face a new administration in the coming week, the Office of International Services (OIS) understands that many of you may have questions or concerns regarding potential changes to U.S. immigration policies, particularly as they relate to visas and the future of international visitors in the U.S. and in higher education institutions. While it’s […]
Premium Processing Fee Increase
January 5, 2024
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on December 28, 2023, that the premium processing fee would increase due to inflation. The new premium processing fee rates are effective February 26, 2024. Applications/Petitions that are filed on or after February 26th requesting premium processing will need to adhere to the new fee rate. The below […]
Electronic Signatures Now Acceptable on the Form I-983
October 18, 2023
As of September 18, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) recently updated their instructions for the Form I-983, Training Plan for STEM OPT Students to permit electronic signatures by the student and their employer. Typed signatures are not allowed. The only acceptable signatures for the Form I-983 are any of the following: Wet […]
Potential Government Shutdown and the Impact on Immigration at UTHSA
September 27, 2023
If you have not been keeping up with the U.S. news recently, there is a potential government shutdown that may go into effect on October 1, 2023 if Congress is unable find common ground on a budget. So, what does this mean for our international students, scholars, and faculty members and to our hosting/hiring units […]
Good News for H-4 Dependents
February 21, 2023
Time to share a little positive news for H-4 dependents. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has returned to adjudicating dependent applications (Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization) that are filed concurrently with the Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker. What does this mean for our current […]
Tips and Tricks of Avoiding Filing Delays
January 12, 2023
We hope you all had a great holiday break and are ready to celebrate the start of this new year with a bang! With more of us embracing our electronic environment, electronic filing has become a great option for submitting many online applications. However, not everyone has fully transitioned from paper filing to electronic filing […]
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes! Time to Update OIS
October 3, 2022
The OIS team wants to remind you that there are times when you need to update our office as it relates to your immigration status. Changing your status from your current visa to another visa category Email your OIS advisor regarding the update and they will let you know the appropriate next steps to take. […]
Healthcare Workers may Request that their Pending EADs be Expedited
December 29, 2021
On December 28, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued guidance that now permits healthcare workers to request an expedite of their pending Request for Employment Authorization application as long as the applicant’s current employment authorization document (EAD) card is set to expire within thirty days or has expired. Healthcare workers that need […]
Changing Your Address with USCIS? Check that Edition Date!
October 9, 2021
Starting December 7, 2021, USCIS will only accept the Form AR-11, Alien’s Change of Address Card with the edition date of 08/31/2021 for those that choose to complete the paper-based form versus filing the update online. This will only apply to the paper-based version. The form edition date can be found at the bottom left […]