USCIS Processing Pause FAQ

On December 2, 2025, USCIS issued policy memo PM-602-0192, directing an immediate pause on adjudicating benefit applications filed by individuals who are citizens of, or were born in, any of the 19 countries listed in the June 2025 Presidential Proclamation. This applies to both pending and newly submitted applications.

USCIS will also re-review some previously approved cases for individuals who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021. That could involve additional documentation, interviews, or new security vetting.

The 19 affected countries are listed alphabetically below:

Afghanistan, Burundi, Chad, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Republic of the Congo, Venezuela, and Yemen.

The policy applies if an individual is a citizen of or was born in one of these countries. In some cases, individuals with dual citizenship or long-term residence elsewhere may still fall within the scope of the pause, depending on USCIS’s interpretation. These determinations are made solely by USCIS.

A USCIS benefit request is an application that requires USCIS to review eligibility and issue an approval, denial, or request for additional evidence. These applications involve discretionary adjudication by federal officers and are separate from university-managed processes.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), including OPT and STEM OPT
• Adjustment of Status (I-485)
• Change or extension of status (I-539)
• Permanent residency–related filings (I-140, I-485, I-751)
• Advance Parole and other travel documents (I-131)
• Replacement or renewal of green cards (I-90)

These benefit requests are subject to the current adjudication pause for affected individuals.

Maintaining status refers to complying with the requirements of your current nonimmigrant category (such as F-1 or J-1). These requirements are overseen by the university and documented in SEVIS, not adjudicated by USCIS.

Examples of maintenance-of-status actions include:

• Full-time enrollment
• CPT authorization
• Program extensions
• Reduced course loads
• SEVIS transfers
• Travel signatures and updated I-20s

These actions are not impacted by the USCIS processing pause and continue to be available to eligible students.

For affected individuals, USCIS has paused adjudication of:

• OPT and STEM OPT applications (Form I-765)
• Adjustment of Status (Form I-485)
• Change of Status applications (Form I-539)
• Employment-based immigrant petitions and related filings
• Advance Parole and other travel documents (Form I-131)
• Green card renewals or replacements (Form I-90)
• Removal of Conditions (I-751)
• All asylum applications (I-589)

While applications may still be submitted, USCIS may not take action on them until the pause is lifted.

The following remain fully available and are processed by the university:

• CPT authorizations
• Program extensions based on academic need
• Reduced course loads (including final semester)
• SEVIS record updates
• Travel signatures
• University-issued documentation

Students should continue to follow normal advising and reporting procedures with Cranwell International Center.

Students may continue to file OPT or STEM OPT applications within the standard filing windows. However, USCIS may not adjudicate these applications promptly, and processing timelines may be significantly longer than normal.

Key points to note:

• Approval delays are expected
• Employment cannot begin without valid work authorization
• Students should communicate early with prospective employers about potential delays

For students who timely file a STEM OPT extension, Virginia Tech does not anticipate an impact on the 180-day automatic extension, which is grounded in federal regulation and has not been modified by this policy.

If your OPT application was submitted and is still pending, it is likely subject to the processing hold. This means your approval could be delayed, and you should not assume that you will receive work authorization by the usual timeline.  

If you have a pending application (for example, an OPT or change of status application) filed before your grace period expires, you are allowed to stay lawfully in the U.S. while it’s being processed, even if your grace period ends during that time. This is known as being in a “period of authorized stay.” 

However: 

• You cannot work until your EAD (Employment Authorization Document) is received, and you have reached the start date printed on it. 
• You also cannot begin new studies or leave and reenter the U.S. during this pending period without specific approval, as that could be considered abandoning your application. 

If you previously filed using premium processing and are awaiting review outside of the 30-calendar day response period, you may need to work with an immigration attorney to explore what options might be available to you, if any. At this time, there does not appear to be a remedy or exception to the processing pause for students who have filed for premium processing. 

If you have an extension request (STEM/ OPT) that is pending, or are planning to submit one soon, please be aware that it may be subject to the same suspension or re-review procedures. You must still submit your I-765 STEM OPT application prior to the end date listed on your employment authorization document. Failure to do so will result in a denial and will end any eligibility for an extension of your work authorization on your current F-1 record. 

If you are from an affected country and plan to submit an OPT request, please be aware that USCIS may not process your request within the standard time frame. There may be additional delays or extended vetting before any decision is made, and this may result in the expiration of your work authorization. 

What should you do now? 

• Do not assume your application will be processed on the usual timeline. Expect delays and possibly rescheduled interviews or requests for additional documentation. 
• Consult an immigration attorney, if possible, especially if you are nearing the end of your 180-day automatic EAD extension. We strongly encourage you to speak with an attorney to discuss potential legal remedies. 
• Monitor official sources: USCIS, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and communications from Cranwell for updates or further guidance. 
• Stay in contact with your employer, as work plans may need to be adjusted depending on whether/when your authorization is approved. 

At this time, Cranwell does not recommend filing for OPT using premium processing, as it appears the 30-day response time will not be honored by USCIS while this hold is in effect. 

If an OPT application is rejected or denied after the 60-day grace period, the applicant is generally considered out of status as of the date of the rejection or denial, not retroactively to the end of the grace period. In most cases, this means there is no additional grace period following the rejection or denial, and the student is expected to depart the United States immediately.

USCIS does not publish a specific number of days allowed for departure in this situation. Remaining in the U.S. after a denial may begin accruing unlawful presence, which can have serious future immigration consequences. Because timelines and outcomes can vary depending on the reason for rejection, when appropriate, consult an experienced immigration attorney.

Yes. If an application was filed before the end of your authorized stay or grace period, you are generally considered to be in a period of authorized stay while USCIS reviews the application. However, authorized stay does not grant permission to work unless work authorization is already in effect.

Students should carefully monitor their status timelines and consult with Cranwell if they have questions.

Employment that depends on USCIS approval (such as OPT or STEM OPT) cannot begin until authorization is granted or an automatic extension applies. On-campus employment and CPT remain unaffected, provided the student otherwise meets eligibility requirements.

F-1 program extensions are considered maintenance-of-status actions and are not affected by the USCIS adjudication pause. Students who have a documented academic or medical reason for needing additional time to complete their program may request an extension through Cranwell International Center, provided the request is submitted before the program end date listed on the I-20.

Program extensions cannot be granted solely due to USCIS processing delays related to OPT or other benefit applications. Extensions must meet federal regulatory requirements, and students should consult with their academic advisor and Cranwell as early as possible if they anticipate needing additional time.

Yes, you can start a new program at VT or transfer to another SEVP certified school to begin a new program on your current I-20. These options are not affected by the current processing pause. You must continue to maintain valid F-1 status, satisfy admission requirements, and coordinate the change with your academic department and the Cranwell International Center.

Travel while a benefit application is pending carries risk. Departing the U.S. may result in:

• Application abandonment
• Denial of the pending request
• Difficulty re-entering the U.S.

Students with pending benefit applications are strongly discouraged from traveling unless absolutely necessary and should review Cranwell’s travel guidance before making plans.

Permanent-residency–related applications are considered benefit requests and are subject to the pause. Previously approved petitions remain valid, but USCIS may re-review cases, request additional evidence, or require interviews before taking further action.

New filings, renewals, or amendments may experience significant delays. These cases are highly individualized, and affected individuals are encouraged to consult directly with an immigration attorney or employer-sponsored legal counsel.

A change of status generally requires filing a USCIS benefit application (such as Form I-539 or I-129) and is therefore subject to the current processing pause if the applicant is a citizen of or was born in one of the 19 designated countries. While applications may still be submitted, USCIS may not adjudicate them until the pause is lifted.

Because changing status can have significant implications for employment eligibility, travel, and lawful presence, students considering a change of status are strongly encouraged to consult with an experienced immigration attorney. Cranwell International Center can provide general information about status options but cannot advise on legal strategy or timelines for USCIS adjudications.

Adding an F-2 dependent (such as a spouse or child) is considered a SEVIS-related, university-managed action and is not impacted by the USCIS benefits processing pause. Cranwell International Center may continue to issue a dependent I-20 for eligible F-2 dependents once all required documentation has been received and reviewed.

However, while the I-20 can be issued, F-2 dependents who are outside the United States must still apply for an F-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and visa issuance timelines are determined by the Department of State. Students should plan ahead and be aware that visa appointment availability and processing times may vary.