In case you’re making use of for an English language research program or a 24-month STEM OPT extension, chances are you’ll be affected by an announcement made by the U.S. Division of Training on August 19, 2022, during which they shared that they’re now not recognizing the Accrediting Council for Unbiased Faculties and Colleges (ACICS) as an accrediting company. It’s reported that the ACICS presently accredits 27 faculties that enroll almost 5,000 college students.
The results of this choice signifies that any faculties that had been accredited by the ACICS will now be unable to situation program extensions, and college students will solely be capable to end their present session if the ACICS-accredited faculty chooses to voluntarily withdraw its certification or whether it is withdrawn by the Pupil and Trade Customer Program (SEVP). Nevertheless, If a pupil’s ACICS-accredited faculty can present proof of an ED-recognized accrediting company or proof in lieu of accreditation inside the allotted timeframe, the coed could stay on the faculty to finish their program of research.
What Does This Imply for Immigration-related Pupil Packages within the US?
Two pupil packages are instantly affected: English language pupil packages, and F-1 college students making use of for a 24-month science, expertise, engineering, and arithmetic (STEM) optionally available sensible coaching (OPT) extension. English language pupil packages have to be accredited underneath the Accreditation of English Language Coaching Packages Act, and the 24-month STEM OPT extension should solely be utilized for if a level is held from an accredited SEVP licensed faculty. The college have to be accredited on the time of the appliance, which is famous by the college official’s suggestion in your Type I-20, Certificates of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Pupil Standing. M-1 college students should not eligible for OPT.
In case your faculty’s certification is withdrawn, you’ll obtain a notification letter from SEVP during which they are going to present steering on what you need to do subsequent. Nevertheless, if that you’re enrolled at an ACICS-accredited faculty, it is suggested that you just contact your DSO instantly to know in case your standing can be affected.
If in case you have filed a Type I-539, Utility to Prolong/Change Nonimmigrant Standing, on or after August 19, 2022 in hopes to vary your standing or obtain reinstatement to attend an ACICS-accredited English language research program, you’ll obtain a request for proof (RFE) from the USCIS. You’ll then be given the chance to supply proof exhibiting that the establishment you want to enroll in meets accreditation necessities. Your change of standing or reinstatement request can be denied if you don’t submit a brand new Type I-20 for a faculty accreditation by an entity acknowledged by ED.
If you’re an F-1 standing pupil trying to take part within the STEM OPT extension program, you’ll must have a level from an ED-recognized accreditation US academic establishment on the time that you just file your utility. Your Type I-765 STEM OPT extension could also be denied if:
- The diploma which is the premise in your STEM OPT extension was obtained from an academic establishment that was accredited by ACICS; and
- The DSO suggestion for a STEM OPT extension is dated on or after August 19, 2022 in your Type I-20.
In case you do obtain a denial, you’ll have 60 days to organize in your departure from the US, switch to a brand new faculty, or start a brand new course of research at an accredited, SEVP-certified faculty.
Be aware
In case your Type I-20 has a DSO suggestion date previous to August 19, 2022, you aren’t affected.
Different Impacts of the ACICS Lack of Recognition
This alteration additionally impacts the next:
- Faculties/Universities that had been solely accredited by ACICS are now not accreditation establishments, which means any levels granted on or after August 19, 2022 now not qualifies as a US diploma for the H-1B superior diploma exemption or for the beneficiary necessities at 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(C)(1).
- Those that have I-140 petitions filed underneath the superior diploma {and professional} classifications the place the academic credentials are from an ACICS accredited faculty (if the diploma was granted on or after August 19, 2022) are additionally affected.
- Circumstances during which the petitioner is claiming an H-1B cap or ACWIA price exemption are additionally affected if the diploma was granted by an ACICS accredited establishment on or after August 19, 2022.
For extra info concerning the lack of ACICS recognition and its results, go to the U.S. Department of Education’s website.