Adviser's Manual 360 News Feed

In response to NAFSA's and other feedback, on September 25, 2024 USCIS updated the USCIS Policy Manual to correct an entry that erroneously indicated that a STEM OPT application had to be filed within 30 days of the DSO's STEM OPT recommendation in SEVIS. The regulation provides that the student does in fact have 60 days following the DSO's recommendation. USCIS has revised the Policy Manual to now correctly state that, "F-1 students may submit a properly filed Form I-765 up to 90 days before the expiration of the F-1 student’s current post-completion OPT EAD and no more than 60 days after their DSO enters the STEM OPT recommendation into SEVIS."

Qatar was added to the list of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries effective September 26, 2024. The VWP enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for 90 days or less without obtaining a U.S. B-1 or B-2 visa, as long as they have a proper ESTA authorization.

On September 23, 2024, the SEVP Response Center (SRC) launched a new telephone system for both domestic and international callers.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) GovDelivery distribution list is moving at the end of September 2024. Sign up for SEVP’s new GovDelivery Distribution List.

The Department of State announced that of September 9, 2024, all available visa slots in the Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) category for fiscal year 2024 have been issued. This category includes holders of advanced degrees and individuals of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. The numbers include EB-2 immigrant visas issued by DOS and EB-2 adjustment of status cases approved by USCIS. The new supply of EB-2 visa numbers becomes available on October 1, 2024, the first day of fiscal year 2025.

On September 13, 2024, NAFSA submitted comments to USCIS regarding the August 27, 2024 revisions to the F student content in the USCIS Policy Manual, including the revisions related to the 5-month rule and study abroad programs. Link to NAFSA's comments and USCIS source documents on NAFSA's page.

The Department of State announced that of August 27, 2024, all available visa slots in the Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1) category for fiscal year 2024 have been issued. This category, which is exempt from the individual labor certification requirement, includes EB-1A (Aliens of Extraordinary Ability), EB-1B (Outstanding Professors and Researchers), and EB-1C (Multinational Executives and Managers). The numbers include EB-1 immigrant visas issued by DOS and EB-1 adjustment of status cases approved by USCIS. The new supply of EB-1 visa numbers becomes available on October 1, 2024, the first day of fiscal year 2025.

On August 15, 2024 DOS updated the Foreign Affairs Manual to allow use of a J-1 visa with a prior program number following a standard program transfer. Under the policy prior to that change, an exchange visitor who traveled after transferring J programs needed a new J visa that reflected the transfer-in sponsor's program number before returning to the United States under the sponsorship of the transfer-in program. The new policy does not apply, however, to transfers involving a category change or to exits and new entries with a new sponsor under a different SEVIS ID.

Starting October 21, 2024, USCIS will accept only the 06/07/24 edition of Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.

On August 12, 2024 the USCIS California Service Center moved to a new location in Tustin, California. CSC mailing addresses have been updated.