F1 Visa
15 Foreign Students Arrested by ICE for OPT Fraud – 1100 Could be Deported – Operation OPTical Illusion
Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced today that they had arrested 15 Foreign Students for OPT-related fraud due to Operation OPTical Illusion. Quick Summary About ICE Arrests Phase 1 of the Ongoing Operation resulted in 15 arrests. These students claimed to be employed in Companies that did not exist (or fake companies) One Company was Identified…
Read MoreInterview with Mandy from Argo Visa – Former Visa Officer (+ Student Visa Interview Tips)
Have you ever wondered why Visa officers, after issuing 214(b) rejection, don’t give you the actual reasons for denial? If they give you the “Real Reason” for denial, wouldn’t that help you with your next visa attempt? What if you knew your weakness or chances of US visa denial is high before your interview, wouldn’…
Read MoreDay 1 CPT University – Is it Legal But Unethical?
It’s the time of the year where people are looking for Day 1 CPT Colleges and Universities. April and May is the time of the year, where there are passionate, heated discussions tends to happen about: Multiple H-1B Visa Filings Petitions requesting USCIS to take action against multiple H-1B Filings Pros and Cons of Day…
Read MoreMyth 7 – OPT is Available Only After Graduation
Should you apply for OPT to continue to work when CPT is not available? Myth 7 – We need to graduate and get OPT to start working for a company Myth 7 – We need to graduate and get OPT to start working for a company If you get an internship off-campus, then you can…
Read MoreHow to Get FICA Tax Refund for F1, OPT & STEM OPT
Students on CPT, OPT, STEM OPT are exempt from FICA Taxes (Social Security and Medicare Taxes). In other words, you don’t have to pay FICA taxes on your paycheck. Some employers would deduct those taxes from your paycheck. But, you can get a refund on FICA taxes from the IRS. This guide will walk you…
Read MoreFICA Taxes Refund Timeline – 6 Months & More
Have you applied for a FICA tax refund with IRS? Then you are probably want to know the FICA Tax refund timeline and process. I remember some F1, OPT students posting timeline as quick as four weeks. But things have changed now. It will take about six months to get your FICA tax refund. Provided,…
Read MoreNew SEVP Policy: Direct Relationship Between Employment and Area of Study to be Determined by DSO
On Sept. 30, 2019, SEVP published new policy guidance – “Practical Training: Determining a Direct Relationship Between Employment and a Student’s Major Area of Study.” This new SEVP policy was published on Sep 30, 2019. Not many DSO’s will be aware of this new guidance yet. Please share this page with your DSO and ask…
Read More3 Ways to Expedite Your OPT or H4 EAD Application with USCIS (with Case Study)
You want to know how to expedite EAD or OPT card from USCIS? By the end of this article, you will learn the following OPT Timeline with expedite request How to file EAD expedite request How to submit proof for financial loss And, you will see real examples and step by step process. You may…
Read MoreCourt Issued Nationwide Preliminary Injunction for Unlawful Presence Memo. What Does That Mean?
Nationwide Preliminary Injunction for Unlawful Presence Memo! What does that even mean? What about the word Enjoins in the following statement? “The motion is GRANTED in that the Court hereby enjoins implementation, in all applications, of the memorandum titled “Accrual of Unlawful Presence and F, J, and M Nonimmigrants” Is that good or bad? You…
Read MoreF1 Visa for PhD Rejected After Lost Passport & 3 Years Into PhD
Three unique things about this F1 Visa Interview for a Ph.D. stands out. F1 Visa Denied for Ph.D. Don’t Take US Visa Interview for granted The student has only one more year left on Ph.D. Following F1 Visa interview for Ph.D. was shared by a student and you can read the interview experience and my…
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