Recent News

Negative COVID-19 Test Results Required for All International Air Passengers Entering the U.S.

January 13, 2021

Beginning January 26th, all inbound travel to the United States by air will now require passengers to obtain a negative COVID-19 test three days prior to flying to the U.S. Outside of international visitors traveling to the U.S., this condition is also applicable to passengers that are citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United […]

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DHS Rule to Allocate H-1B Visas to Highest Paying Jobs takes Effect

January 11, 2021

This past January 8th, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is scheduled to publish in the Federal Register (see Final Rule) a final rule prioritizing allocation of H-1B visas according to the wage level of the offered position. How does this apply to UT Health SA’s ability to submit H-1B petitions to USCIS? Well, it […]

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Scam Alert: Targeting Student and Exchange Visitors

December 11, 2020

We have received notice of a potential scam that is targeting F-1 students and J-1 Exchange Visitors. Scammers are using SEVP Response Center (SRC) phone numbers (703-603-3400 and 800-892-4829) and posing as SEVP representatives when calling their potential victims. They are asking questions about the Form I-94 and requesting that students send money. DO NOT […]

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F-1 OPT and STEM OPT Work Authorization Here to Stay

December 3, 2020

A little more good news to share regarding Optional Practical Training, including STEM OPT, eligibility for F-1 students. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order on Monday, November 30, 2020 that backs the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rules as it relates to the F-1 work benefits. Further details of […]

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Court Sets Aside DOL and DHS Interim Final Rules Impacting Prevailing Wages and H-1B Requirements

December 2, 2020

On December 1, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California set aside both the Department of Labor (DOL) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) interim final rules which had been published on October 8, 2020. This means that the rules cannot be enforced or implemented. Read the court’s order and judgement, […]

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Premium Processing Fee Increases

October 19, 2020

On Wednesday, September 30, U.S. Congress passed, and the President signed into law the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act which provided for new and increased premium processing fees coupled with an authorized expansion of the case types eligible for premium processing.  This past Friday, October 16, USCIS announced partial implementation of the law. As a […]

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DHS Proposed Rule on Duration of Status

September 30, 2020

On Friday, September 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule to eliminate duration of status (D/S) for F-1 students, J-1 Exchange Visitors, and their dependents, as well as other provisions that could impact on our international visitors. This is still a proposed rule and not currently in effect, and OIS […]

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Presidential Proclamation Issued: Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak

June 23, 2020

President Trump just issued a Presidential Proclamation, “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak,” effective immediately and until December 31, 2020. You can find a summary of this proclamation here. As it relates to our institution, this will impact: Those currently outside the U.S. […]

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Hurricane Season 2020

June 4, 2020

Hurricane season kicked off beginning this month and it runs through November 30th. There can be occasional outliers where a storm develops outside the traditional season but typically active storms have been captured during this period. We thought we would save you from the cheesy 80s rock music reference for another year but it is […]

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Brazil Travel Suspension

May 27, 2020

President Trump has issued another proclamation on May 24, 2020 that restricts travel to the United States by foreign nationals that were physically present in Brazil within a fourteen day period. What does this mean for our community? It means that a foreign national would not be able to enter the United States if they […]

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