General COVID-19 Information
For up-to-date information on lab operations during the rapidly developing situation, please visit ESH Public website
USCIS Expands Premium Processing Eligibility to Certain F-1 OPT and STEM OPT Applications
From USCIS:
Since March 6, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has expanded premium processing eligibility to certain F-1 OPT and STEM OPT applications.
Premium processing allows for a faster adjudication of petitions, with a 15-day processing time as opposed to the standard 3-6 month wait time. This can be a valuable tool for employees who need to expedite their EAD document.
To be eligible for premium processing, applicants must file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, with their Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. Form I-907 must be filed concurrently with Form I-765, and both forms must be filed for the same applicant.
Visa Bulletin – April 2023
According to the State Department’s December Visa Bulletin :
- EB-1: All countries will remain current, except China and India, which both retrogress to February 1, 2022.
- EB-2: All Chargeability + Mexico and Philippines will retrogress to July 1, 2022; China will remain unchanged at June 8, 2019, and India will retrogress to January 1, 2011.
- EB-3: China will advance to November 1, 2018, while India will remain at June 15, 2012. All other countries will remain current.
Health, Safety, and Welfare of J-1 Exchange Visitors – EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER
Ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of all exchange visitors is the Department of State’s collective highest priority. The Department takes this responsibility very seriously in order to ensure the continued viability of international educational and cultural exchange as an effective public diplomacy tool.
To help safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of all exchange visitors, the Department has established an Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) Emergency Hotline – 1-866-283-9090 – a 24/7 toll-free telephone number that allows exchange visitors to directly contact the Department in emergency and urgent situations. A Department representative is available 24 hours a day.