Authoritative legal analysis, policy updates, and procedural guides for international students navigating the U.S. education system.
STEM OPT ends in September with the I-485 stuck and the country travel-banned. The move: re-enroll in F-1, sue on the EAD, and fight from inside the U.S.
Got a marriage-based EAD while on F-1? Staying in valid F-1 or CPT status until your green card interview is safer in 2026, even though the law already protects immediate relatives.
An F-1 student traded his Singapore passport for Vanuatu investment citizenship mid-program. His OPT stalled past 130 days, and the travel ban probably isn't why.
An I-862 Notice to Appear case type on a routine I-797C biometrics notice sent an F-1 on OPT scrambling. Here is what to check before panicking.
A J-1 researcher's status ends in August while her marriage green card and EAD sit pending. How to hold a backup status without claiming the wrong intent.
An F-1 student did two years of day-one CPT and her lawyer left the paying employer off her I-485. Why that omission reads as fraud, not a clever fix.
DHS's rule ending duration of status has cleared OMB review. F-1 students weighing a school or program change should act before it takes effect.
An F-1 graduate marrying a U.S. citizen should file OPT to keep status valid alongside the marriage green card, and should not travel abroad mid-process.
"Generally, F1 students are restricted to on-campus employment during their first academic year. Off-campus employment is strictly regulated and typically requires at least one full academic year in status and evidence of severe economic hardship or CPT/OPT authorization."
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"You must apply for a program extension with your DSO BEFORE the end date on your current I-20. Failure to do so results in a loss of status, which may require reinstatement or a new entry."
Journalistic Legal Summary
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"No. Once you depart the United States during your 60-day grace period, your F1 status ends immediately and you cannot re-enter on that same status unless you have a new I-20 for a new program."
Journalistic Legal Summary
Verified by Editorial Board Legal Reviewers