Practice Advisory on Pending Adjustment Applicant Status Issues

International Advisors may encounter students who hold F-1 status, but who are also processing for lawful permanent resident (LPR or “green card”) status. Questions as to how these cases should be advised and handled for allowance of F-1 benefits and maintenance of an active SEVIS record are common, and difficult to answer given the lack of clear regulatory guidance. The NAFSA KCISSS Regulatory Practice Advisory Group has prepared a summary of the issues, and some best practices given various student situations. Please note that given the lack of clear regulatory guidance on this topic, the following practice advisory must be tempered by the DSO's best judgment, given each specific situation involving an F-1 student who is processing for U.S. LPR status.