On December 4, 2025, USCIS announced that the maximum validity period for certain categories of Employment Authorization Documents from five years to no more than 18 months per issuance. The change is intended to strengthen screening and background checks for foreign nationals seeking authorization to work in the U.S.Effective for all applications filed or pending on or after December 5, 2025, the 18-month limit applies to: Refugees Asylees Individuals granted withholding of

As international graduates navigate the transition from F-1 student status to H-1B status, many ask a strategic question: Is it permissible to delay H-1B activation in order to fully utilize the remaining time on OPT or STEM OPT? This article outlines the legal framework, practical considerations, and associated risks of such a decision. Activation Pathways for H-1B Status 1. Change of Status (COS): For petitions approved with a COS request, H-1B status automatically begins o

USCIS announced on March 6th, 2023, the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking OPT and F-1 students seeking STEM OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and wish to request a premium processing upgrade.  With this expansion, online filing of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, is now available to F-1 students in these categories. USCIS continues to accept the latest paper version of this

If you participate in the STEM OPT program, either as a student or as an employer, please pay attention to these important updates from the USCIS. Both students and employers are now required to report any material changes to the Designated School Official (DSO) directly by submitting a modified Form I-983. This should be done at the earliest opportunity. Students are also responsible to report certain other changes, such as changes to their employer’s name and address to the

USCIS has issued some RFEs and denials for H-1B change of status petitions where the beneficiary has used more than 12 months of combined CPT and OPT at the same degree level. USCIS claims that “by accepting more than 12 months of CPT and OPT at the same educational level, particularly where CPT occurs after the foreign national has used same-level OPT from a degree program at a different institution, the foreign national has failed to maintain valid F-1 status.” This interpr