Interview Waiver Expansion:
In response to long wait times for visa appointments, theU.S. Department of State has expanded eligibility for interview waivers for F-1visa applicants. Students who have previously held a U.S. visa or who meet specific criteria can now skip in-person interviews, making the process smoother and faster.
Changes to STEM OPT Programs:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has added 22new STEM fields to the list of programs eligible for a 24-month OPT extension.New fields include data science, environmental studies, and cloud computing.
Streamlined SEVIS Requirements:
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has introduced digital updates, allowing students to manage SEVIS fee payments andI-20 forms online, reducing the time and hassle of application tracking.