October 1, 2024

USCIS Updates Guidance for F and M Nonimmigrant Visa Classification

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has updated its guidance effective immediately regarding when students who are in either F or M nonimmigrant visa classification may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) extensions for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (“STEM”) field.

The updated guidance, which is found in the USCIS Policy Manual, also provides clarification for F and M students concerning online study, school transfers, and grace periods.

Specifically, the policy manual provides the following:

Clarifies that F and M students may count one (1) class or three (3) credits per academic session toward a full course of study if they take online classes or through distance learning not requiring physical attendance.

Explains that F and M students may transfer between approved schools at the same educational level or file a petition with USCIS to change to another nonimmigrant status or adjust to an immigrant status.

Explains that during the sixty (60) day grace period following authorized period of post-completion of OPT, F and M students may change their education level, transfer to another school, or file a petition to change their nonimmigrant status or adjust to an immigrant status.

Clarifies that F and M students may be eligible for post-completion OPT after finishing an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program.

Corrects the period during which F and M students may apply for STEM OPT extensions and makes other technical corrections.

For more information, contact us at info@enterlinepartners.com. 

ENTERLINE & PARTNERS CONSULTING  

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Office  

146C7 Nguyen Van Huong St, Thao Dien Ward,  
District 2, Thu Duc City  
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam  

Tel: +84 933 301 488  
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com  
Facebook: Enterline & Partners – Dịch vụ Thị thực và Định cư Hoa Kỳ  
YouTube: @EnterlineAndPartnersConsulting  
Website: http://enterlinepartners.com  

Manila, Philippines Office  

LKG Tower 37th Floor   
6801 Ayala Avenue  
Makati City, Philippines 1226

Tel: +63 917 543 7926  
Email: info@enterlinepartners.com  
Facebook: Enterline and Partners Philippines  
Website: https://enterlinepartners.com/language/en/welcome/  

Copyright 2024. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. This article may be changed with or without notice. The opinions expressed in this article are those of Enterline and Partners only.  

Categories: Non-immigrant Visa

Tags: f visa, m visa, student visa

What is a K-3 Nonimmigrant visa?

Can I send my Absentee Ballot to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the Upcoming Presidential Election?

What is myUSCIS?

Who can vote in the U.S. Presidential Election?

our services

Over 18,000 successful customers with Enterline &
Partners, realizing the dream of immigration

Latest News

Federal Judge Strikes Down Parole-in-Place Program

A U.S. Federal Court Judge has struck down Parole-in-Place following an earlier decision granting the State of Texas and fifteen (15) other states an administrative stay two months ago. Judge J. Campbell Barker of the Eastern District of Texas ruled that the program, which would fast-track permanent residency to certain undocumented immigrants to obtain lawful permanent residents who are spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens, “exceeded its statutory authority and is not in accordance with the law.” Judge Barker further added that the program “focuses on the wrong thing, in identifying ‘significant public benefits’- the benefits of aliens’ new legal status – rather than their presence in the country.” At the time of publishing this article, it is unclear whether the Biden Administration will appeal Judge Barker’s ruling. For more information on this ruling, please contact us at info@enterlinepartners.com. ENTERLINE & PARTNERS CONSULTING   Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Office   146C7

What is a K-3 Nonimmigrant visa?

A K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows a foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States while their Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (“I-130 Petition”) is undergoing adjudication with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). The goal of a K-3 is to shorten the time that a foreign spouse is separated from his or her U.S. citizen spouse during the immigration process. The K-3 visa is specifically for foreign spouses of U.S. citizens who have already filed their I-130 Petition but have not received an approval. In order to file for a K-3 visa, the U.S. citizen spouse must first file an I-130 Petition with USCIS. Afterwards, the U.S. citizen spouse files a Form I-129F Petition for Alien fiancé(e). (“I-129F Petition”) with supplemental documentation. If the I-129F Petition is approved before the I-130 Petition, the foreign spouse can consular process for a

Can I send my Absentee Ballot to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the Upcoming Presidential Election?

We have previously discussed who is eligible to vote in U.S. elections and how American citizens abroad (i.e. Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan) can send their ballots by mail or use designated dropboxes to vote for their presidential and state and local candidates. U.S. citizens who are unable to physically drop off their ballots at certain locations in Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan may also mail their ballots directly to the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, the U.S. Embassy in Manila, or the American Institute in Taiwan in Taipei at the following addresses: U.S. Consulate Ho Chi Minh CityAmerican Citizen Services Unit4 Le Duan Blvd. District 1Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam U.S. Embassy ManilaAmerican Citizen Services Unit1201 Roxas Blvd.Manila, Philippines 1000 American Institute of TaiwanAmerican Citizen Services Unit100 Jinhu Road Neihu DistrictTaipei, Taiwan 114017 When sending sealed ballots to the addresses above, registered voters will need two envelopes.

USCIS Updates Guidance for F and M Nonimmigrant Visa Classification

CATEGORY

Over 18,000 successful customers with Enterline &Partners, realizing the dream of immigration

Latest News

Over 18,000 successful customers with Enterline &
Partners, realizing the dream of immigration