United States
US immigration and student legal guides.
Follow the US path from F-1 visa interviews through OPT, STEM OPT, H-1B, green cards, citizenship, tax, banking, health insurance, and student housing. The guides below are grouped by the decision a student or immigrant actually has to make next.
OPT / STEM OPT application
I-765 timing, eligibility, evidence, DSO recommendation, EAD replacement, and unemployment-risk review.
from $199
F-1 status and SEVIS
F-1 interview prep, school transfer, status violation, reinstatement, CPT, OPT, and cap-gap triage.
from $299
Green card and citizenship
Marriage green card, K-1, I-751, N-400, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and AOS versus consular processing checklists.
from $349
65 US guides
Browse every US guide
4 guides
Citizenship and settlement
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N-400 document checklist
N-400 document checklist: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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N-400 interview questions and answers
What USCIS asks at the N-400 interview, including application review, English, civics, travel, taxes, arrests, marriage, and oath eligibility.
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Naturalization N-400 step-by-step
A step-by-step N-400 naturalization guide, including eligibility, early filing, residence, physical presence, good moral character, interview, test, and oath.
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US civics test 2026 changes
A guide to the 2025 naturalization civics test used in 2026, including who takes it, filing-date cutoff, question format, pass standard, and prep strategy.
8 guides
Family and permanent residence
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AOS vs Consular Processing: which is faster?
AOS vs Consular Processing: which is faster?: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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Conditional green card I-751 removal
Conditional green card I-751 removal: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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EB-1A self-petition guide
How extraordinary-ability applicants build an EB-1A self-petition, including the 3-of-10 criteria, final merits review, evidence strategy, and I-140 filing.
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EB-2 NIW: National Interest Waiver
A practical EB-2 NIW guide, including advanced degree or exceptional ability, the Dhanasar framework, national importance, evidence, and self-petition strategy.
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K-1 fiance visa document checklist
K-1 fiance visa document checklist: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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Marriage green card checklist
A marriage green card checklist for I-130, I-485, consular processing, I-864, medical exam, bona fide marriage evidence, and interview prep.
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Marriage green card document prep
A marriage green card document-prep guide for 2026, including I-130, I-485, I-864, bona fide marriage evidence, medicals, civil documents, and interview risks.
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Marriage green card timeline by service center
Marriage green card timeline by service center: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
35 guides
International students
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CPT vs OPT for F-1 students: 2026 comparison
CPT vs OPT for F-1 students: 2026 comparison: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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Day-1 CPT risk guide
How Day-1 CPT works, why it is scrutinized, what students should verify before enrolling, and how it affects H-1B, OPT, travel, and future USCIS filings.
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F-1 cap-gap explained
How the F-1 cap-gap extension works for students with timely filed H-1B change-of-status petitions, including OPT, status, I-20 proof, and denial risk.
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F-1 reinstatement checklist
F-1 reinstatement checklist: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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F-1 school transfer mid-program: SEVIS and status rules
How F-1 students transfer schools mid-program, including DSO release dates, new I-20 timing, SEVIS transfer rules, and status traps.
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F-1 status violation guide 2026
F-1 status violation guide 2026: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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F-1 to F-2 visa for spouses and children: 2026 guide
How spouses and children join or remain with an F-1 student in F-2 status, including dependent I-20s, DS-160, I-539, work limits, and study rules.
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F-1 visa document checklist 2026
F-1 visa document checklist 2026: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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F-1 visa for community college students: 2026 guide
How community college students can qualify for an F-1 visa, including SEVP certification, I-20 funding, transfer plans, and interview strategy.
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F-1 visa interview prep checklist
F-1 visa interview prep checklist: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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F-1 visa interview questions 2026
F-1 visa interview questions 2026: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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F-1 visa interview questions in Lagos: 2026 prep guide
F-1 visa interview questions in Lagos: 2026 prep guide: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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F-1 visa interview questions in London: 2026 prep guide
F-1 visa interview questions in London: 2026 prep guide: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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F-1 visa interview questions in Mumbai: 2026 prep guide
A practical 2026 guide to F-1 student visa interview questions at the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai, including funding, study gaps, loans, and 214(b) risks.
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F-1 visa interview questions in Nairobi: 2026 prep guide
A practical 2026 guide to F-1 student visa interview questions at the U.S. Embassy Nairobi, including funding, ties, sponsor evidence, and 214(b).
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F-1 visa rejected: 30-day recovery plan for 2026
A practical 30-day plan after an F-1 visa refusal, including 214(b), DS-160 review, evidence repair, school deferral, and reapplication timing.
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International student banking: best banks
How international students should compare U.S. banks, including IDs, fees, SSN issues, wire transfers, campus branches, credit cards, and fraud prevention.
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International student credit history
International student credit history: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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International student driver's license by state
International student driver's license by state: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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International student health insurance requirements
International student health insurance requirements: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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International student ITIN application
International student ITIN application: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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International student SSN application
How F-1 and J-1 students apply for a Social Security number, including work authorization, school letters, SSA documents, timing, and common mistakes.
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International student tax filing: 1040-NR
A 1040-NR guide for international students, including nonresident tax status, substantial presence, W-2, 1042-S, treaty claims, Form 8843, and deadlines.
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OPT 90-day unemployment cap: 2026 F-1 guide
OPT 90-day unemployment cap: 2026 F-1 guide: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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OPT application mistakes 2026
A 2026 OPT application guide covering I-765 timing, DSO recommendation, eligibility category, photos, address, fee, EAD dates, and denial recovery.
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OPT document checklist 2026
A Form I-765 OPT checklist for F-1 students, including DSO recommendation, eligibility category, I-20 timing, photos, I-94, filing fee, EAD, and denial traps.
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OPT EAD card replacement process: 2026 guide
How F-1 students replace a lost, stolen, damaged, or incorrect OPT EAD card, including Form I-765, USCIS error issues, and travel risks.
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OPT travel rules: when can you re-enter?
How F-1 students travel during OPT, STEM OPT, pending I-765, cap-gap, and job changes, including EAD, I-20, visa, passport, and employment proof.
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Pre-completion OPT eligibility: F-1 student guide for 2026
Who qualifies for pre-completion OPT, how it affects post-completion OPT, Form I-765 filing, work-hour limits, and common F-1 mistakes.
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SEVIS termination and F-1 reinstatement
What F-1 students should do after SEVIS termination, including DSO diagnosis, reinstatement, travel and re-entry, I-539, evidence, and timing risks.
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STEM OPT 24-month extension checklist: 2026 documents and timing
A document checklist for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, including I-983, E-Verify, I-765, degree CIP code, employer evidence, and timing rules.
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STEM OPT document checklist
A STEM OPT checklist covering Form I-983, E-Verify, degree CIP code, I-765, I-20 timing, employer duties, unemployment days, and reporting.
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STEM OPT employer E-Verify requirements: 2026 guide
What STEM OPT employers must show about E-Verify, employer identity, training plans, wage promises, supervision, and reporting.
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STEM OPT job change reporting rules: 2026 guide
How STEM OPT students report job changes, new employers, material I-983 changes, unemployment days, and validation reports.
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STEM OPT startup LLC guide
A STEM OPT startup LLC guide for 2026, including E-Verify, Form I-983, bona fide employer, supervision, founder control, payroll, and denial risks.
4 guides
Special cases and protections
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Asylum I-589: when to apply
Asylum I-589: when to apply: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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Borrower defense to repayment step-by-step
Borrower defense to repayment step-by-step: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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DACA renewal timeline 2026
A DACA renewal guide for 2026, including current court posture, I-821D, I-765, I-765WS, timing, fees, online filing, and EAD replacement traps.
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TPS renewals 2026
TPS renewals 2026: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
8 guides
Tenancy and housing
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International student renting in Austin
International student renting in Austin: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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International student renting in Bay Area
International student renting in Bay Area: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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International student renting in Boston
A Boston rental guide for international students, including September 1 leases, broker fees, deposits, guarantors, rooming houses, scams, and tenant rights.
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International student renting in Chicago
A Chicago rental guide for international students, including RLTO coverage, deposits, move-in fees, roommates, repairs, heating, scams, and lease evidence.
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International student renting in Houston
A Houston rental guide for international students, including Texas security deposits, repairs, flood risk, utilities, roommates, scams, and lease timing.
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International student renting in Los Angeles
A Los Angeles rental guide for international students, including city rent rules, deposits, roommates, scams, habitability, commute, and school-area housing.
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International student renting in NYC
International student renting in NYC: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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International student renting in Seattle
International student renting in Seattle: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
6 guides
Work visas and employment
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E-2 investor visa basics
E-2 investor visa basics: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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H-1B lottery results explained 2026
What FY 2026 H-1B lottery results meant, including beneficiary-centric selection, registration statuses, filing windows, selected beneficiaries, and next steps.
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H-1B transfer between employers
A practical H-1B transfer guide, including portability, LCA, I-129 filing, start dates, paystubs, gaps, RFEs, and travel risk.
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L-1A vs L-1B intra-company transfer
L-1A vs L-1B intra-company transfer: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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O-1A visa for extraordinary ability
O-1A visa for extraordinary ability: documents, deadlines, official sources, common pitfalls, FAQs, and next-step review options.
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TN visa for Canadian and Mexican professionals
A TN visa guide under USMCA, including eligible professions, Canadian vs Mexican process, employer letters, degrees, temporary intent, and renewal risk.