Immigration Updates

View of the UIC circle mark on the exterior of the ARC.

DHS Final Rule on H-1B Modernization

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule for the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program, which changes how “specialty occupation” is characterized and evaluated. The H-1B visa category, as defined…

View of the UIC circle mark on the exterior of the ARC.

USCIS to Increase Certain Filing Fees on April 1, 2024

On Jan. 30, 2024, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule that will increase certain filing fees effective April 1, 2024. As detailed in the final rule and associated Frequently…

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International Student Funding Opportunities

The Office of International Services is pleased to share three international student funding programs currently accepting applications. Read below or visit the OIS website for more information, including the eligibility and application process…

Sunlight streams through an opening between University Hall and the ARC.

USCIS Announces Increase to Premium Processing Fee

On Dec. 27, 2023, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would increase the filing fee on Form I-907 Premium Processing effective Feb. 26, 2024. USCIS states that the increase is…

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SEVP Ends COVID-19 Flexibilities for 2023-24 Academic Year

In conjunction with the declared end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced the termination of its COVID-19 guidance on…

View of the UIC circle mark on east campus with three flags and the Chicago skyline in the background.

USCIS Premium Processing Expansion of Form I-539

As previously announced by our office in March 2023, today U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the expansion of Premium Processing for applicants seeking to change status to F or J nonimmigrant.

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USCIS Premium Processing Expansion

As previously communicated by our office in January 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has recently announced further details surrounding the immediate expansion and phasing in of optional Premium Processing for certain F-1…