The USCIS has announced that they will resume premium processing in a phased approach. The Service will first allow I-140’s to utilize premium processing beginning June 1st, 2020. Then some cap-exempt H-1B’s on June 8th and by June 22nd they’ll allow all I-129 forms (H-1B, O-1, TN, L-1, etc.) to utilize premium processing. You can…
No Premium Processing for FY21 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions
USCIS has announced that as in previous years, they will suspend premium processing for all petitions filed in the FY21 H-1B cap. The service has issued a two-tier system for resuming premium processing on these petitions, mirroring what occurred last year (FY20 filings). Change of status (from F-1 to H-1B) petitions will be able to…
Entry Restrictions for Most Foreign Nationals Traveling from Europe Due to the Coronavirus
President Trump signed a proclamation suspending entry for most foreign nationals who have traveled to the Schengen area within the prior 14 days. This does not apply to LPR’s (Green Card holders). See link to the Department of Homeland Security below for more details. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2020/03/11/homeland-security-acting-secretary-chad-f-wolf-s-statement-presidential-proclamation
Coronavirus Travel Updates
With the Coronavirus spreading, there are many travel restrictions being put in place. Please read what the CDC is currently saying about travel. Foreign nationals needing to travel, or even simply wanting to travel, should seek advice before leaving the United States. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
EB-3 Visa Bulletin moves to ‘U’ (Unavailable)
The Department of State (DOS) released the September 2019 Visa Bulletin a few weeks ago, and the EB-3 categories had normal retrogression. Since then, the DOS has announced that the EB-3 category is now unavailable for the remainder of the fiscal year. This means that all available green cards within the numerical limits have been…
USCIS Improves Citizenship Test
In Fiscal Year 2018, over three-quarters of a million individuals became naturalized U.S. Citizens. To be sure that legal immigrants fully know their rights as well as responsibilities, the USCIS is updating the test that is taken during the citizenship application process. The pilot versions will begin in the fall of 2019, per the USCIS…
USCIS Attempting Transition to Digital Processing
The USCIS has long said they would like to have a more digital platform, which, if properly functioning would likely be welcomed by all. They are putting the first parts of ‘eProcessing’ in motion by allowing certain visitors for business, visitors for pleasure, and vocational students to apply online to extend their stays in the…
USCIS Suspends Premium Processing
The USCIS has been busy lately. Policy memo updates, RFE issuance, and now premium processing suspension. This suspension had already been in effect for H-1B Cap (lottery) cases, and they are now expanding this to other H-1B types. Here are a few highlights of the entire message which you may read HERE. • Cap Exempt…
2017 Visa Modernization Regulation Summary
In November 2016 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a new regulation in an effort to modernize certain aspects of employment based immigration. The goal of the new regulation was to improve the ability of U.S. employers to hire and retain highly skilled workers who are beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions and are…
