USCIS Announces Premium Processing, New Online Filing Procedures for Certain F-1 Students Seeking OPT or STEM OPT Extensions On March 6, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions …
DOS Issues Final Rule Updating Regulation on Signed Photos for Visa Processing Effective April 5, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) is updating its regulation regarding visa applicants’ furnishing of signed photographs as required under the Immigration and Nationality Act § 221(b). DOS said the updates reflect changes in technology, including the ability to upload …
Weekly Updates USCIS Issues Clarifying Guidance for Individuals Authorized to Work Under Special Student Relief Provisions U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released policy guidance to clarify the validity period of employment authorization for F-1 nonimmigrant students experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances (also known as special student relief (SSR)) who are …
U.S. Immigration Updates– Week of February 27, 2023 & February 2023 Monthly Review Read More »
March Visa Bulletin Includes Updates on Visa Availability in Coming Months The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for March 2023 includes updates on visa availability in various categories, including possible retrogressions in the coming months: · Visa availability in the EB-2 preference category for all countries (including China and India): Higher than expected number use, …
U.S. Immigration Updates– Week of February 20, 2023 Read More »
Department of State Plans Visa Renewal Program for H and L Workers According to reports, the Department of State (DOS) plans to launch a pilot program later this year to allow visa renewals in the United States for H and L nonimmigrant workers who currently must leave the country to renew their visas at consular …
U.S. Immigration Updates– Week of February 13, 2023 Read More »
Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents Redesigned U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on January 30, 2023, that it has begun issuing newly designed permanent resident cards (green cards) and employment authorization documents (EADs). Current cards remain valid until their expiration dates (unless otherwise noted, such as through an automatic extension of a green …
U.S. Immigration Updates– Week of February 6, 2023 Read More »
U.S. Immigration Updates – Week of January 30, 2023 FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registration Opens March 1 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B cap will open at noon ET on March 1, 2023 and run through noon ET on March 17, 2023. …
U.S. Immigration Updates- Week of January 30, 2023 & January 2023 Monthly Review Read More »
DOS Releases February 2023 Visa Bulletin with Certain Retrogressions The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for February 2023 includes the following information about retrogressions in the worldwide final action and application filing dates in the employment third preference “Other Workers” category: · Higher than expected number use in the Employment Third Preference “Other Workers” (EW) …
U.S. Immigration Updates– Week of January 22, 2023 Read More »
USCIS to Expand Premium Processing for EB-1 and EB-2 petitions and for Certain Students and Exchange Visitors U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on January 12, 2023, that it is implementing the final phase of the Premium Processing expansion for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. Also, …
U.S. Immigration Updates– Week of January 16, 2023 Read More »
USCIS Publishes Proposed Rule to Raise Fees U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a proposed rule on January 4, 2023, to raise fees. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also proposes to fund the asylum program with a controversial new Asylum Program Fee of $600 to be paid by employers who file either a …
U.S. Immigration Updates– Week of January 9, 2023 Read More »
