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Liz Cosgrove Ford

Liz currently serves as Associate Director of International Student and Scholar Services at the University of North Texas where she leads a team of F1 advisors and staff to support nearly 11,000 international students. Liz began her career in International Education in 2001 teaching English as a

SEVP Rescinds Message Announcing New SEVP Unit to Oversee Practical Training Compliance

January 26, 2021

UPDATE: On January 26, 2021, SEVP published Broadcast Message 2101-03, titled Rescinding Broadcast Message 2101-02: New SEVP Unit to Oversee Employment Compliance in the OPT Programs and Report on Impact on U.S. Workers, stating: "The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is rescinding

USCIS Changes I-765 Filing Addresses for F-1 Students

On January 8, 2020, USCIS changed the filing addresses for F-1 student I-765 filings, including F-1 OPT (pre-completion, post-completion and STEM OPT), off-campus employment with an international organization, and off-campus employment due to severe economic necessity. (Note: Always check the USCIS

Significant USCIS Lockbox Delays in Processing of Receipt Notices

This NAFSA page tracks developments on the delays in USCIS lockbox processing of receipt notices for applications for OPT benefits. Updates June 10, 2021. A 06/10/21 USCIS news alert describes additional temporary filing flexibilities for benefits filers impacted by USCIS Lockbox delays. These

Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions

Updates (December 22, 2021). DHS withdrew this final rule effective December 22, 2021. See 86 FR 72516 (December 22, 2021). Updates prior to withdrawal of the rule: (September 15, 2021). The California Northern District Court vacated the H-1B cap “highest paid” lottery rule, finding that that former

SEVP Broadcast Message 2101-01: Enforcement of the Post-Completion OPT and Employer Information Requirement in SEVIS

SEVP's January 4, 2021 Broadcast Message 2101-01, titled Enforcement of the Post-Completion OPT and Employer Information Requirement in SEVIS, states that, "Institutions are certified with the understanding that they will maintain a relationship with their students throughout the educational

USCIS Application Support Centers Updates

December 29, 2020

In a December 29, 2020 Stakeholder Message, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated stakeholders on the status of appointments at Application Support Centers (ASCs) that collect biometrics for certain kinds of applications, including Form I-539 applications for change of status

SEVP Curricular Practical Training Fact Sheet

On December 18, 2019, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) made available a basic Curricular Practical Training Fact Sheet "for reminders about the federal regulations governing curricular practical training (CPT) and answers to frequently asked questions about CPT." Download the SEVP

Sudan Removed from List of State Sponsors of Terrorism

Sudan was removed from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism on December 14, 2020. The country had been on that list since August 12, 1993. In addition to clearing the way for political and financial normalization, the rescission of Sudan's State Sponsors of Terrorism designation means that its

Exchange Visitor Program Guidance Directive 2020-01 - Confucius Institutes

On November 18, 2020, the Department of State's (DOS) Exchange Visitor Program (BridgeUSA) issued Guidance Directive 2020-01, Exchange Visitor Program - Confucius Institutes, which provides guidance on the relationship of college and university J-1 exchange programs to Confucius Institutes and