ACICS Schools Are No Longer Recognized By USCIS

On August 19, 2022, the Department of Labor stated it would no longer recognize the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges (ACICS) as an accrediting agency.  This announcement affects English language study programs and F-1 students applying for STEM OPT extensions. SEVP will notify students if their school is affected by the above and strongly encourage...

Effective October 1, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will now require all applicants seeking permanent residence to complete the COVID-19 vaccine and provide documentation to the civil surgeon before completing their medical exam. This includes applicants filing for adjustment of status in the US and those applying via consular processing. However,...

For employment-based candidates, switching jobs during the green card process is possible, once the I-485, Supp J has been pending for 180 days, without having to go through the arduous PERM process and I-140 filing. The portability rules allow an applicant to switch jobs once the I-485 has been pending for 180 days as long...

PERM is an acronym for the “Program Electronic Review Management” system established under the Department of Labor (DOL) regulations. It is a critical component of the employment-based immigration process, as it initiates the journey toward lawful permanent residency for foreign nationals through employment. This process, which includes both PERMs and audits, is essential for ensuring...