[06/23] I will no longer post updates in this thread. We will definitely see changes to STEM OPT extension and H4 EAD very soon. 06/22 : More regulations coming folks. STEM OPT extension is going away and H4 EAD is going to be taken away. Wait begins for another change now. My guess is within 2-3 weeks we will see STEM OPT extension termination and H4 EAD termination 06/22 : More details will be posted soon. They are yet to announce changes to STEM OPT and Rescinding H4 EAD program. I think it will follow by end of day or few days. 06/22 : Some material available now : https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following-coronavirus-outbreak/ 06/22 : Changes are still not finalized. EO can come anytime between now and June25th. Rulemaking progress to block STEM extension and H4 EAD also begins. 06/21 : No changes announced today. After Trump himself confirmed about upcoming changes, we are likely to see the changes tomorrow. EO for blocking people outside of the US till rest of the year and regulations for cutting down OPT STEM extension and H4 EAD. 06/20 : Cabinet has reached an agreement. Changes could be announced anytime soon after Trump signs the new EO. If you are outside of country, prepare to stay out for rest of the year. NPR also reported the same today. Trump's interview with Fox also confirmed the same. Tight restrictions are happening for H1b, H4, L1 and F1. My guess is they will block everyone outside of the country. Start process for Rescinding H4 EAD and F1 OPT STEM extension. 06/19 : Many employers started posting possible changes and asking employees to not travel out and come back to US. I expect new EO announcement on June 23rd or 24th. 06/18 : Trump is expected to sign order on 24th June. They might block H1b transfer as well. We will know more next week. New updates as 06/16 : No updates as of today. Let's wait. Changes are definitely coming. New updates as of 06/13 : Changes are still being discussed to figure out corner cases and avoid potential lawsuits : 1. No more issuance of new H1b visa for this year a. If you are outside of country and your H1b has been picked up through lottery or waiting for stamping, you have to wait till end of this year or even further to enter in the country. b. If you are outside of the country with approved stamp, your visa will NOT be revoked. But you cannot enter in the country for 6+ months (or whatever ban time is going to last) 2. DEFINITELY rescind the H4 EAD program. No more issuance of new H4 EAD and renewals. Let existing H4 EAD expire. 3. STEM OPT extension canceled. This process will begin in July through rulemaking process. 4. Changes to first 12 months STEM OPT for next year to be revised. Only give it to top students based on GPA, school rating etc etc. 5. Existing H1b visa holders in US are safe. Transfers are allowed. If you qualify for new wage level (highest level) then only H1b transfer or renewals possible. If your wage level is below then you cannot get next H1b. 6. Give OPT to only to best and brightest students for this and next year. 7. If you are on OPT and picked up in lottery this year and present in US, you are safe. 8. $20k for H1b filing fees (including new visa, transfer and renewals). 9. Show American recruitment efforts first and raise bar for "speciality occupation". Make it extremely difficult to get H1b approvals for roles with general skillset. 10. Minimum wage for H1b to go up to level 4 e.g. $172k for San Jose, CA. H1b folks making less than that are subject to not receive renewal, transfer. 11. If you are working for Indian consulting company then you are screwed big time. New laws to be introduced to qualify for "consulting" roles. 12. If you are working for desi consulting firm based in US, I suggest move out asap. They have started eliminating people holding for fake resumes and terminating their visa. Good luck folks. I am preparing for Canada PR. I am done with this country. It's just ridiculous to get treated like slave. #workvisa #h1b
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I thought all opt were affected. Is it only stem opt?
STEM OPT has only extension. It seems they want to cut extension opportunity. If you are on extension already then you should be good. If you are on first term OPT then you should be worried about not getting extension.
Only a masochist would think of building a life in America on the restrictive h1b visa. Canada PR is the way to go. Remote work will make your place of work irrelevant any way
What is this very reliable source?
another lawyer :)
A guy on LinkedIn 😂
5. If you are on H1b, L1 visa stuck outside, you can no longer come to US for 60+ days (subjected to extension) Where are your sources for this? This doesn't any sense whatsoever. By that logic, people on visas can't travel outside the US anymore.
This is slavery
yeah doesn't make any sense but this is election year and trump is losing on polls. Fair to expect some illogical but strong steps to win back hearts and polls
This will also affect people within the US right? Because if they leave they can’t come back in-is that right?
Wtf. I hate this fucking country. It's becoming a third world war ridden shit hole. I'm out.
lol.. have you been to a war torn country?
Calm yourself. You don’t live with the fear of your life ending when you hear a F16 fly over your head or that you’ll be killed in an explosion while leisurely walking outside...
OPT restrictions are just pure cruel. Colleges will se big decline in international students.
They will find a middle ground. Probably cut OPT to 12 months only and take away extension.
I don't think the OPT restrictions would happen. Lol The last time, there were talks like these, they extended the stem opt from 18 to 24 months😂
How about if I have an approved petition from last year? Can I travel outside the US and have the stamping done in my home country and then travel back to US?
Please don’t do this. Do not leave the country now. All the consulates are closed in every country. I have been waiting for 5 months now. Your best strategy is to just accept that you can’t leave the US till 2021
We probably can’t leave the US till trump leaves the White House
H4-EAD cancellation 3 years ago had similar panic. You may be right but I’ll believe only after it’s official.
I think H4 EAD is least of all worries. They want to cut down on new H1b and going after OPT students and bar people from coming to US.
H4-EAD implementation are taking years to implement. I don’t believe this many changes can be implemented anytime soon. They’ll state somethings about brining into effect which will help in elections.