|
*********************************
Attention International Travelers: Change in exit procedures
(click
here for notice)
*********************************
USCIS gives updated numbers as of April 9, 2007 on the 20,000 available
exemptions for students holding U.S. Master's degrees: click here
**********************************
ATTENTION: ANY GRADUATING DARTMOUTH COLLEGE STUDENT WHO IS BEING SPONSORED BY
AN OUTSIDE EMPLOYER FOR AN H-1B WORK VISA THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE "CAP"
LIMITATION:
USCIS REACHES FY 2008 H-1B CAP
133,000 H-1B cap-subject applications received as of April 3, 2007, so US
Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has indicated that they have
received enough H-1B petitions to meet the FY 2008 H-1B cap.
While the government does have a separate limit of 20,000 H-1B visas for
individuals who have earned a Master's degree of higher form a U.S.
institution, USCIS has indicated that they have not determined how many of the
20,000 H-1B visas available to U.S.-earned Master's degree or higher category
would be allotted. It will take some time for USCIS to notify us about their
review of the applications received.
Please see attached memos issued by the USCIS last week and this week. We
strongly recommend any graduating student to contact his or her sponsoring
employer, and / or his or her consulting immigration attorney to determine what
affect this may have on any pending H-1B applications
USCIS REACHES FY 2008 H-1B CAP. (click here for
memo)
USCIS IMPOSES CONDITIONS ON AVAILABILITY OF PREMIUM PROCESSING FOR H-1B
PETITIONS SUBJECT TO THE FY 2008 CAP (click
here for
memo)
**************************************
Annual State Cable on Students Continues to Cite Student Visas as a Priority
May 5, 2006
On May 3, the State Department issued its annual cable regarding student
visa processing, again reminding all consular posts that "Efficient processing
of visas for students and exchange visitors is a high priority for the
Department: every student should have the chance to make the initial start date
of his/her academic or exchange program whenever possible" The cable goes on to
highlight for consular officers the importance of focusing more on a student's
academic qualifications (although ultimately not to question the judgment of
the academic institution for admitting the student) and financial resources,
and less on the institution they will study at and what their long-term goals
are, as "by nature foreign students stay in the United States for extended
periods of time." This helps reinforce the contents of a September 28, 2005
cable that clarified how consular officers should interpret the immigrant
intent requirement when adjudicating student visa applications.
The new cable reminds consular officers that:
1) When examining a student's intent to depart the after a course of study,
focus on the applicant's immediate and near-term intent, remembering that by
nature foreign students stay in the for extended periods of time.
2) Since academic institutions have already determined that the student is
qualified to enroll in school, as a general rule consular officers should not
question the school's judgment. Students should be able to articulate their
reasons for entering their field of study and choosing to study at a particular
institution.
3) Focus on the student and not the institution during adjudication...Consular
officers should not second-guess a student's choice of school, and they should
not deny a visa based solely on the student's choice of a particular academic
institution.
4) Student visas may now be issued up to 120 days before the program start
date. Posts may accept applications for adjudication and processing even before
the 120-day period, but may not issue the actual visa until 120 days before the
start of studies.
5) DOS supports the efforts of consular posts to make visa interviews available
to student on a priority basis, and posts should continue to expedite student
and exchange visitor applications as necessary.
See the complete cable at:
http://www.nafsa.org/_/Document/_/2006_dos_student_visa.pdf
We are encouraged by this cable, and hope that all international students
and scholars will find the visa application process quick and smooth. Please
let us know if you have any issues or questions.
International Office staff
*****************************************
|
