The U.S. Department of State has announced that, beginning December 15, all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will now undergo an online presence review, a screening measure previously required only for F, M, and J students and exchange visitor categories. Expanded Social Media Review Requirements Applicants in the H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J visa...
Change of status applications, including F-1, H-4, L-2, etc.
The Supreme Court has declined to review a long-running legal challenge to the work authorization program for spouses of H-1B visa holders, known as the H-4 EAD. On October 14, 2025, the Court refused to take up Save Jobs USA v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, effectively ending the case and leaving in place the...
This week the Trump administration announced a new rule, which if passed would eliminate “duration of status” for international students. Unlike other non-immigrant classifications, international students are admitted for duration of status, meaning they can stay for as long as is required to complete their studies, OPT and STEM OPT. It also allows them to...
Jun262025
The U.S. Department of State has announced a significant change in the visa vetting process for international students and exchange visitors. Under new guidance released on June 18, 2025, all applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications will now be required to make their social media accounts public as part of expanded security...
The Edakunni v. Mayorkas settlement reached mandated the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to bundle the processing of specific forms for H-4 and L-2 visa holders. Key Provisions of the Edakunni Settlement: Bundled Processing: Under the settlement, USCIS agreed to process Forms I-539 (Application to Change or Extend Nonimmigrant Status) and I-765 (Application for...
In January we reported that USCIS had agreed to this as part of a major settlement. If you file the applications together, they will adjudicate H-4, H-4 EADs, and L-2 with the I-129 (H-1B or L-1). Despite the agreement under the Edakunni settlement, the H-4/L-2 are not always processed in tandem with the principal Form...
Immigrating to the United States can be a life-changing experience. For many, the goal is to obtain lawful permanent resident status, often referred to as a green card. One of the primary pathways to achieving this status is through the process known as “adjustment of status.” In this article, we will address some frequently asked...
Jul32023
Premium processing for change of status applications is finally being made available to students, marking a significant development. Previously, transitioning from say a B-1/B-2 to F-1 status could take more than 18 months, leaving individuals unable to commence their studies and stuck in a state of uncertainty. Moreover, due to the prolonged processing time, USCIS...