Office of International Education and Development

US Immigration Updates

US Immigration Updates

What is this database?

This resource is a searchable database of US immigration updates impacting members of the Appalachian community. This is a general information summary database of select immigration updates and is not intended to be comprehensive.

This table is updated weekly on Mondays.

Please contact issso@appstate.edu if you would like to suggest an update or if you have questions or concerns regarding your specific situation.

Title	Topic	Population impacted	Effective start date of guidance	End date of guidance
2019 Public Charge Rule Vacated and Removed March 11, 2021: DHS formally removed the "Public Charge Rule" which required certain individuals applying for a visa, admission, or adjustment of status to demonstrate they will not at any time in the future become a "public charge" (receive government assistance in the form of unemployment benefits, food stamps, etc.) March 9, 2021: DHS provided an update directing applicants and petitioners to no longer provide information required solely by the Public Charge Final Rule when completing USCIS forms (ISSSO will not include Public Charge information when filing H-1B petitions; personal filings of extension of stay, adjustment of status, etc. need not incude Public Charge information)	Travel Employment Other	H-1B Permanent resident DACA	March 9, 2021	Ongoing
COVID-19 Vaccine Required for Immigrant Medical Exam Based on CDC recommendations, a COVID-19 vaccine is now a required part of the immigrant medical exam for those who are eligible to receive a vaccine. Some exceptions apply.	Other	H-1B Permanent resident Dependent	August 25, 2021	Ongoing
Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services at US Embassies US State Department suspended routine visa services in March 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic US Embassies worldwide began re-opening on an ad hoc basis in July 2020 Additional updates announced in December 2020, February 2021, and April 2021 Check your local embassy's status for visa appointments	Travel Immigration/Visa status	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent	February 24, 2020	Ongoing
State Department updates on U.S. visa news See the most up to date visa and travel information from the US State Department	Travel Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent		Ongoing
F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training Can Now File Form I-765 Online F-1 students can now apply for OPT online. Online filing allows applicants to submit forms electronically, check the status of their case anytime from anywhere, and receive notices from USCIS online instead of waiting for them in the mail. Certain individuals applying for an EAD card for other applications may also file the I-765 online Applicants can still submit paper applications to USCIS	Employment	F-1 student Permanent resident	April 12, 2021	Ongoing
Electronic I-20s now Acceptable Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)now allows international student advisors to send (email) and sign I-20s electronically. Students must still print their I-20 and use a hard copy for travel.	Other	F-1 student Dependent	November 1, 2021	Ongoing
Work Permits and Relief from Removal for DACA Students DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students may request temporary work permits and relief from removal	Other	DACA	January 20, 2021	Ongoing
DACA and International Students Eligible for COVID-19 Financial Relief The Biden administration reversed a previous policy that barred F-1 international students, undocumented college students, and other immigrants from receiving federal education relief grants to pay for expenses during the coronavirus pandemic; those individuals are now eligible for receiving COVID-19 relief grants. The funds can be used for housing, food, and childcare.	Other	F-1 student J-1 student DACA	May 12, 2021	Ongoing
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and Exceptions All non-US citizens traveling to the US must show proof of COVID-19 vaccine. The following vaccines are accepted: Moderna, J&J and Pfizer (FDA and WHO approved) and Oxford-AstraZeneca/Covishield, Sinopharm and Sinovac.	Travel Immigration/Visa status	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B	January 2, 2022	Ongoing
Removal of requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Passengers Arriving in the United States within 1 day of arrival On June 12, the CDC lifted the previous requirement all US travelers to get tested no more than 1 day before traveling into the United States (US) and showing a negative result to the the airline before boarding the flight. There is no current COVID-19 test requirement for international travelers to the US. https://about.bgov.com/client-exclusive/	Travel	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	June 12, 2022	Ongoing

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