USCIS Announces Final Phase of Premium Processing Expansion [EB-1C – Now, F-1 OPT (coming)]

2023-01-23T22:46:39+00:00Jan 14, 2023|

USCIS announced that: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 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, in addition to all previously filed Form I-140 petitions under [...]

Opportunity for Academic Training Extensions for J-1 College and University Students in STEM Fields

2022-01-28T22:25:30+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

The Directorate of Private Sector Exchange (Private Sector) is announcing an initiative for College and University Student-category exchange visitors participating in academic training in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This opportunity is in response to the recent Joint Statement of Principles in Support of International Education. Department-designated sponsors have also expressed [...]

USCIS Provides Updated Criteria for Determining If a Case Warrants Expedited Treatment

2022-01-28T22:17:15+00:00Jan 28, 2022|

USCIS has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on how they determine whether a case warrants expedited treatment. The new guidance is effective immediately. This update: Clarifies the criteria and circumstances under which we generally consider expedite requests from nonprofit organizations as determined by the Internal Revenue Service Provides additional examples of [...]

Exceptions to Suspension of Entry Due to COVID Surge in India – What to Know and How to Apply for a National Interest Exception Waiver

2021-05-13T21:13:33+00:00May 13, 2021|

Introduction For the past 10 days, we have been fielding calls from clients who have a compelling need to travel to, or from India. Unfortunately, the Presidential Proclamation[1] that went into effect on May 4th has made an already complex situation, more difficult. The US Embassies in India have suspended all routine non immigrant [...]

USCIS lockbox updates

2021-01-13T18:41:26+00:00Jan 13, 2021|

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, USCIS is experiencing delays in issuing receipt notices for some applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility. As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, an increase in filings, current postal service volume and other external factors, you may experience a delay of four to six weeks in [...]

H/L Dependents, F, H-4 EAD, EADs, Multinational Executive/Manager I-140s Granted Premium Processing

2020-10-02T12:08:49+00:00Oct 2, 2020|

On September 30, 2020 the President signed H.R. 8337 the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, which will fund the government through December 11, 2020. Included in the Act is language from the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act (H.R. 8089), which seeks to address USCIS’s budget shortfall. The relevant language begins on page 30 [...]

Presidential Proclamation Limiting Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants

2020-06-23T01:43:40+00:00Jun 23, 2020|

This evening, President Trump issued a proclamation continuing Proclamation 10014 from April 22nd   At the outset, here is what you need to know: Most domestic immigration – H-1Bs, L-1s, Os, Ps and all other forms of nonimmigrant visas including, H-1B CAP filings are unaffected Change of Employment and Extensions of nonimmigrant status can continue [...]

**RUMOR REPORT** Presidential Proclamation Barring Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants**RUMOR REPORT**

2020-06-12T18:15:55+00:00Jun 12, 2020|

We have been tracking certain reports that an additional Presidential Proclamation barring entry of certain nonimmigrants appears to be imminent. Here is what we know at this point. This news item is courtesy the American Immigration Lawyers Association Timing The President may be making a decision on the scope of the proclamation as early as [...]

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