USCIS Updates Notice To Appear Policy Guidance. Posted July 18, 2018
USCIS updates "Notice to Appear" policy guidance expanding the pool of foreign nationals that may be subject to deportation.
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Reminder: FY 2019 H-1B Cap Season, Posted March 5, 2019
The starting date for filing H-1B petitions subject to 2019 Cap is April 2nd, 2018 which is less than a month away. Based on past trends, it is more likely than not the filing window will only last the first 5 business days, i.e., until April 6th.
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New York Times Article on on How Trump's Policies are Slowing Down Immigration to U.S.A.. Posted December 12, 2017
Interesting article on how the policies of the administration of President Donald Trump is slowing down the immigration process. His administration has managed to accomplish this by adopting onerous policies
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USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for all H-1B Petitions, Posted October 04, 2017
On October 3, 2017, USCIS resumed premium processing for all H-1B visa extension of stay petitions. With this action, premium processing is now available for all types of H-1B petitions.
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USCIS Will Temporarily Suspend Premium Processing for All H-1B Petitions, Posted March 04, 2017
Starting April 3, 2017, USCIS will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions. This suspension may last up to 6 months.
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Getting Ready For FY 2018 H-1B Cap Season, Posted March 3, 2017
The starting date for filing H-1B petitions subject to 2018 Cap is April 1st, 2017, which is about a month away. Based on past trends, it is more likely than not the filing window will only last the first 5 business days, i.e., until April 7th.
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Immigration Filing Fee To Increase Effective December 23, 2016. Posted October 26, 2016
USCIS announces final rule increasing filing fees for immigration applications.
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Employers May Submit Inquiries If Extension of Status/Change of Employer Petition Has Been Pending for 210 Days or More, Posted May 15, 2016
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USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process (Lottery) for FY 2017, Posted April 13, 2016
USCIS announced it ran a computer-generated random selection process (lottery) to select petitions to meet the FY2017 cap from the 236,000 petitions received in 5 buss. days. Premium processing for H-1B cap cases to start no later than May 16.
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STEM F-1 OPT Month Extension Increased to 24 Months
The new STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student’s program of study in an approved STEM field, and replaces the 17-month STEM OPT extension. The 17-month STEM OPT regulations will stay in effect
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Getting Ready For FY 2017 H-1B Cap Season, Posted February 18, 2016
The starting date for filing H-1B petitions subject to 2017 Cap is April 1st, 2016 which is about 1 1/2 months away. Even though one cannot accurately predict on how long the FY 2017 H-1B filing window will last, it is quite likely that we may have a very short window for filing H-1B FY 2017 Cap subject petitions this year.
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L-1 and H-1B Fee Increases on Certain Large Petitioners, Posted Dec 24, 2015.
Due to the new Budget passed on Dec 18, 2015, the supplemental fees for L-1 and H-1B petitions are increasing for companies that employ 50 or more employees in the United States and have more than 50 percent of their U.S. workforce in H-1B and L-1 status.
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DOS’ New Guidance Post AAO Decision in Matter of Simeio, Posted Dec 24, 2015
DOS releases Cable providing guidance as to when H-1B amendments must be filed as a result of precedent setting AAO Decision in Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC. which was decided on April 09, 2015.
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Major Changes to Visa Bulletin; Allows Early Filing for Permanent Residence (Green Card) Applications
On September 9, 2015, the Department of State and USCIS jointly announced new procedures that will allow individuals stuck in the family-based and employment-based immigrant visa backlogs to start their immigrant visa paperwork or apply for adjustment of status before their priority date becomes current and an immigrant visa becomes immediately available.
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USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for Extension of Stay H-1B Petitions, Posted July 13, 2015
USCIS issued an alert that beginning 7/13/15, USCIS will resume accepting Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for all Form I-129, H-1B extension of stay petitions. This service was suspended since May 26, 2015.
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USCIS' New Guidance on Filing H-1B Amendments Due to Changes in Place of Employment, Posted May 22, 2015
USCIS has issued guidance that employers are now required to file amended H-1B petitions whenever a new Labor Condition Application (LCA) is required due to a change in the H-1B worker’s place on employment. Please click on the title above for details.
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President's Executive Action: Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses, Posted May 22, 2015
Beginning May 26, 2015, certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants can file for employment authorization,as long as the H-1B nonimmigrant has already started the process of seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status. Please click on the title above for details.
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USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing for Extension of Stay H-1B Petitions, Posted May 21, 2015
This temporary suspension will allow USCIS to implement the “Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Spouses” final rule in a timely manner. Please clink on the above link for more details.
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H-1B Cap 2016 Premium Processing to Begin April 27, 2015. Posted April 14, 2015
This was a piece of encouraging news coming from USCIS on the premium processing timeline for 2016 Cap subject H-1B petitions. USCIS will begin premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions requesting premium processing on April 27, 2015, including petitions seeking an exemption for individualswith a U.S. master’s degree or higher.
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USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process (Lottery) for FY 2016, Posted April 13, 2015
On 4/13/15, USCIS announced it ran a computer-generated random selection process (lottery) to select petitions to meet the FY2016 cap from the 233,000 petitions received in 5 buss. days. Premium processing for H-1B cap cases to start no later than May 15.
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USCIS Announces Eligibility for Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependents Starting 5/26/15, Posted Feb 24, 2015
USCIS announced that effective 5/26/15, DHS is extending eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status.
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NVC to Handle Nonimmigrant Visa Inquiries Effective 01/12/15, Posted Feb 17, 2015
Effective January 12, 2015, NVC to start handling routine Nonimmigrant Visa Inquiries like case status and general information about the visa process.
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Getting Ready for FY 2016 H-1B Cap Season, Posted January 16, 2015
The starting date for filing H-1B petitions subject to 2016 Cap is April 1st, 2015 which is little over 2 months away. Even though one cannot accurately predict on how long the FY 2015 H-1B filing window will last, it is quite likely that we may have a very short window for filing H-1B FY 2015 Cap subject petitions this year.
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President Obama's Executive Actions on Immigration: DACA, Posted January 08, 2015
On November 20, 2014, President Obama announced a series of Executive Actions in an effort to reform the broken US immigration system. Please click on the title above for details which have been excerpted from USCIS' announcements.
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CBP Announces New Mobile Passport Control App, Posted August 12, 2014
CBP announced the launch of the app, Mobile Passport Control, beginning at the Atlanta airport on 8/13/14, allowing eligible travelers to submit passport information and customs declaration forms via a smartphone. Please click on title above for details.
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