POLICY & ANALYSIS

Policy updates

Follow U.S. immigration policy, filing changes and official announcements.

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General policy

USCIS Updates Policy Manual Guidance for T Visa

We are revising our guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to align with the Classification for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons; Eligibility for “T” Nonimmigrant Status Final Rule.

Policy update
Employment & work visas

International Entrepreneur Parole Threshold Adjustments

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect the recently published final rule to codify the automatic adjustment of the investment, award, grant, and revenue thresholds for international entrepreneur parole. The guidance also clarifies the process for submitting biometrics for applicants who reside outside the United States.

Policy update
Employment & work visas

USCIS Updates Guidance on the International Entrepreneur Rule

We have updated guidance on the International Entrepreneur Rule in our Policy Manual to clarify the required triennial increase in investment, revenue, and other thresholds, and to clarify how we arrange biometrics appointments for certain applicants.

Policy update
Employment & work visas

Extraordinary Ability Criteria Clarification

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to further clarify how USCIS evaluates evidence to determine eligibility for immigrant classification as a person of extraordinary ability.

Policy update
Family & children

Age Calculation Under the Child Status Protection Act

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how to calculate the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) age for a noncitizen who demonstrates extraordinary circumstances that may excuse the sought to acquire requirement under the CSPA.

Policy update
Fees, forms & filing

Extension Application Filing Period for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Optional Practical Training

This technical update to Volume 2, Nonimmigrants, clarifies that an F-1 student may apply for a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension no later than 60 days after a designated school official’s recommendation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This technical update aligns the guidance with the regulations.

Policy update
Employment & work visas

USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of Fiscal Year 2025

We have received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025. Sept. 18 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2025.

Policy update
General policy

California Service Center Relocates

On Aug. 12, the California Service Center (CSC) moved to a new facility as USCIS centralizes processing for immigration benefits.

Policy update

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