Global Services

There is no DACA impact; the transition activities do not change your status or work permit (EAD).

For all Active F-1 Students in CPT, 1^st year OPT or STEM OPT EAD, you must notify your US university of the change in Fermilab’s operating contractor from Fermi Research Alliance, LLC to Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLC. PLEASE WAIT for instructions from the Visa Office, which will be separately provided to you with the required information via email. Once your US University issues a new Form I-20, you must upload it to your Docketwise profile. Please contact the Visa Office if you do not already have a Docketwise account or you need another invite to access it.

• Additional requirements for STEM OPT EAD. Specifically, you must also submit a new Form I-983 to your US University. PLEASE WAIT for instructions from the Visa Office, which will be separately provided to you with relevant information shortly. Once your US University issues a new Form I-20, you must upload it to your Docketwise profile. Please contact the Visa Office if you do not already have a Docketwise account or you need another invite to access it.
• Additional Requirements for Active F-1 Students in CPT. After receiving your notification of the change in Fermilab contractor, your US university may request a new letter describing your employment offer. If you receive this request, please contact the Visa Office for further assistance.
• Travel is not affected. Proceed as if nothing has changed – if you already have a valid visa stamp you can use it. If you need a new visa stamp, contact your US university for guidance.

During the transition, your current H-1B status remains valid. If you already have an H-1B Visa Stamp in your passport, it also remains valid. FermiForward is a successor-in-interest to FRA.

Your travel plans may warrant additional action on your part. For example:

• If traveling abroad and applying for a NEW H-1B visa stamp to return to the US in 2025, if you have NOT already discussed with the Visa Office, contact the Visa Office immediately, as this may warrant an individual H-1B Amendment petition on your behalf, separate from the successor-in-interest concept described above.
• If you are traveling abroad and applying for a NEW H-1B visa stamp to return to the US in 2024,
• you should continue with the visa application normally.
•  The Visa Office will provide you with an additional piece of evidence to be presented to the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) if CBP asks about the change in employer and requests additional documentation regarding the same.
• If traveling abroad and returning to the US in 2025 with VALID H-1B visa stamp, the Visa Office will provide you with an additional piece of evidence to be presented to the CBP if CBP asks about the change in employer and requests additional documentation regarding the same.
• If you are an H-1B visa holder traveling abroad and returning to the US in 2024 with a valid H-1B visa stamp, the regular travel advice applies – i.e., carry current H-1B approval notice and your FRA Letter of Employment Confirmation with salary (available from the Records Office).

The transition team has confirmed with the Department of State that Fermilab’s J-1 program designations will seamlessly transfer from FRA to FermiForward on January 1, 2025.

J-1 visa holders’ presence in the US remains valid.

• If traveling abroad and returning to the US in 2024 with valid J-1 visa stamp, regular travel advice applies – i.e., carry your current DS-2019 with valid travel signature.
• If you are traveling abroad and applying for a new J-1 visa stamp to return to the US in 2024, you should continue with the visa application normally.
• If traveling abroad and returning to the US in 2025 with VALID J-1 visa stamp, the Visa Office will provide you with an explanation letter to be presented to the CBP if CBP asks about the change in employer and requests additional documentation regarding the same.
• If traveling abroad and applying for a NEW J-1 visa stamp to return to the US in 2025, please contact the Visa Office, who will issue you a new Form DS-2019 showing FermiForward in the sponsor name field.

If your LPR application has already been approved and you possess a valid LPR card – there is no change to your status or work permit. Additional circumstances and potential impacts are noted below:

• If your LPR application has been filed and USCIS Receipts issued, no action is needed at this time. You may be contacted on a case-by-case basis. As usual, you must contact the Visa Office if you receive any communication from the USCIS regarding your case.
• If your LPR application is in progress, the Visa Office will proceed with the preparation of the LPR application as usual. You may be contacted on a case-by-case basis.
• There is NO effect on your travel. Please continue as usual – carry your valid passport and green card.

New O-1 petitions will be filed in 2024. All employees holding O-1 status will be notified shortly to provide information and documents.

If traveling abroad and returning to the US in 2024 with VALID O-1 visa stamp, regular travel advice applies – carry current O-1 approval notice + Letter of Employment Confirmation with salary (from the Records Office). In case of any other travel situation –contact the Visa Office prior to making any arrangements.

New TN petitions will be filed in 2024 by the Visa Office. No travel will be required.

If traveling abroad and returning to the US in 2024 with VALID TN visa stamp OR as a Canadian Citizen exempt from visa stamp requirement, regular travel advice applies – carry current TN approval notice (or I-94) + Letter of Employment Confirmation with salary (from the Records Office). In case of any other travel situation please contact the Visa Office (visaoffice@fnal.gov) prior to making any arrangements.