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
Consular Offices May Waive In-Person Visa Interview Requirement for certain F, J, M Applicants Conusular offices may waive the visa interview requirement for F, M and academic J visa applicants for the remainder of 2021. Some restrictions apply; see full announcement for details and contact your local embassy for eligibility.	Travel	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar	September 15, 2021	December 31, 2021
Extended Flexibility for Certain OPT Applicants Students who timely filed their I-765 application for OPT or STEM OPT between October 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021, and then later received a rejection, may refile their OPT applications by November 30, 2021. For applications received through October 31, 2021, applicants can file the I-765 up to 120 days before the program end date (normal regulations require applications to be filed no more than 90 days before the program end date).	Employment Other	F-1 student	October 1, 2020	October 31, 2021
DHS Proposal to Replace Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 students, J-1 Exchange Visitors, and their dependents The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a rule to eliminate Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 and J-1 visa holders and dependents, limiting those individuals to their program end date, not to exceed 2 or 4 years Proposal would require F and J visa holders to apply for program extensions through USCIS Proposed rule was frozen for review until November 14, 2021 Proposed rule was officially withrawn on July 6, 2021 and will not take effect.	Immigration/Visa status	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar Dependent	May 14, 2021	July 6, 2021
DHS Re-Designates Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months Department of Homeland Security re-designates Syria for Temporary Protected Status from March 9, 2021 to September 9, 2022 Citizens of Syria who demonstrate conintuous residence in the US as of March 30, 2021 are eligible for TPS under Syria's designation Individuals who are granted TPS 1) are protected from forced removal from the US (deportation), 2) can obtain special authorization to work in the US, and 3) may be granted authorization to leave and re-enter the US	Employment Other	F-1 student J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident Dependent DACA	June 14, 2021	June 14, 2021
H-1B Travel Ban and Exceptions June 22, 2020: Presidential Procolamation suspends entry to the US for any H-1B or H-4, or new green card holder who is entering the US in H status and was not present in the US or had a valid H visa on June 24, 2020 Suspends entry to the US for other J-1 categories, but NOT for J-1 Scholars or Students Certain H-1B holders may be eligible to apply for a National Interest Exception, allowing them to enter the US despite the travel ban February 24, 2021: Biden rescinded the portion of the order that bans entry of new green card holders; he left intact the sections temporarily barring entry for new H-1B and H-4 workers Proclamation expired on March 31, 2021 and is no longer in effect	Travel Employment Other	J-1 student J-1 scholar H-1B Permanent resident	February 24, 2021	March 31, 2021
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