Posted by Nishu Sharma | Feb 15, 2023 |
The U.S. Department of State, on February 09, 2023, released the March 2023 visa bulletin. In the latest visa bulletin, the priority dates have remained the same. There has been a retrogression of the priority dates in the Employment-Based Fourth (EB-4) preference category.
The final action date...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Feb 10, 2023 |
Based on an exclusive interview with Julie Stufft, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Visa Services in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Bloomberg Law reported on February 09, 2023, that the State Department (DOS) will launch a pilot program later this year offering stateside visa renewals for H-1B and ...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Feb 10, 2023 |
On February 08, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that starting February 10, 2023, self-petitioning abused spouses, children, and parents must file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, and Form I-485, Application to Register Perman...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Feb 06, 2023 |
On January 23, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that certain asylum applicants can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online.
Effective immediately, applicants for employment authorization under category (c)(8), Pending Asylum and With...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Feb 06, 2023 |
On February 03, 2023, U.S. Embassy in India tweeted that a visa applicant may be able to get a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your destination abroad. This move comes as US Embassy in India is trying to reduce the massive backlog in visa processing. Recently US Embassy in Ba...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Feb 06, 2023 |
On January 30, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new designs to improve the security of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Since January 30, 2023, USCIS has started issuing redesigned cards.
The new ...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Feb 06, 2023 |
The U.S. Department of State, on January 11, 2023, released the February 2023 visa bulletin. In the latest visa bulletin, for Certain Religious Workers preference category, Final Action Dates were introduced.
The final action dates and the dates for filing for the employment-based first, second,...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Jan 27, 2023 |
On January 27, 2023, USCIS announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2024 H-1B cap would open at noon EST on March 1, 2023, and run through noon EST on March 17, 2023. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to complete and submit thei...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Jan 27, 2023 |
On January 12, 2023, USCIS announced 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.
Unlike previous phases of the expansion, this phase applies to new (initial) petitions, ...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Jan 27, 2023 |
On January 23, 2023, USCIS announced that it is extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident St...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Jan 27, 2023 |
On January 24, 2023, USCIS announced that it is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through March 23, 2023, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the fo...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Dec 21, 2022 |
On December 19, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provided information for nonimmigrant workers whose employment has terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. These workers may have several options for remaining in the United States in a period of authorized stay base...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Dec 21, 2022 |
The U.S. Department of State, on December 19, 2022, released the January 2023 visa bulletin. In the latest visa bulletin, for the employment-based first preference category for China and India, the final action dates and dates for filing have been introduced. Also, for employment fourth preferenc...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Dec 15, 2022 |
Beginning December 23, 2022, one must use the 12/23/22 edition of Form I-485, or USCIS will reject the filing. Also, if one files Form I-485 before December 23, 2022, one must use the 07/15/22 edition of Form I-485, or USCIS will reject the filing.
On September 09, 2022, DHS published the ...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Dec 11, 2022 |
Effective December 12, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to allow USCIS to automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (commonly called Green Cards) for lawful permanent residents who have applied for naturalization.
Thi...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Dec 11, 2022 |
On December 09, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security posted a Federal Register notice on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ethiopia. This notice provides information about how to register for TPS under Ethiopia's designation. In October, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorka...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Dec 11, 2022 |
On December 08, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced important filing updates for petitioners who will be requesting additional H-2B workers for fiscal year 2023 under the upcoming temporary final rule.
Centralized Filing Location
Petitioners requesting additional H...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Nov 23, 2022 |
On November 16, 2022, USCIS issued recommendations for paper filings to avoid scanning delays. USCIS now scans and uploads many documents into electronic database systems. To avoid delays and improve scanning efficiency, USCIS recommends that you do not:
Hole punch, staple, paper clip, binder ...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Nov 23, 2022 |
On November 10, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Federal Register Notice announcing the continuation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and certain related documents for beneficiaries under the TPS designations that remain subject to the court orders in the Ramos et al. v...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Nov 23, 2022 |
On November 22, 2022, USCIS announced that it is extending and expanding previously announced filing fee exemptions and expedited application processing for certain Afghan nationals. These actions will help Afghan nationals resettle, and in many cases reunite with family, in the United States by ...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Nov 19, 2022 |
The U.S. Department of State, on November 10, 2022, released the December 2022 visa bulletin. In the latest visa bulletin, there has been further retrogression in the final action dates and the dates for filing for India in the employment-based second preference category. Moreover, a worldwide em...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Nov 10, 2022 |
On November 09, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has announced the lists of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in the next year. The notice listing the eligible countries will...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Nov 04, 2022 |
On November 03, 2022, USCIS announced that on Monday, October 31, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security's final rule (PDF) to preserve and fortify Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) went into effect. The final rule's implementation means that DACA is now based on a formal regulatio...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Nov 02, 2022 |
On November 01, 2022, published on this website that on August 19, 2022, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This determination immediately affects two immigrati...
Posted by Nishu Sharma | Nov 02, 2022 |
The H-1B non-immigrant visa allows companies and other employers in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in occupations that require the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor's degree or higher in the specific specialty o...