During an interactive Webinar held on January 24th, USCIS representatives confirmed that the H-1B CAP for this year will remain unchanged for the most part. Although, the USCIS has published the “H-1B Modernizing Rule” in the Federal Register, it appears there is not enough time for implementation during this year’s CAP season. Consequently, USCIS will [...]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced an update to its Policy Manual providing that USCIS, in its discretion and under certain conditions, may excuse a nonimmigrant’s failure to timely file an extension of stay or change of status request if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or petitioner. [...]
The Department of State has announced a pilot program to resume domestic visa renewals for qualified H-1B nonimmigrant visa applicants who meet certain requirements. The pilot program will accept applications from January 29, 2024, through April 1, 2024, or when all application slots are filled, whichever comes first. Participation in the pilot program is voluntary. [...]
USCIS will launch organizational accounts for non-cap filings and the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap season. The introduction of organizational accounts will allow multiple individuals within an organization, such as a company or other business entity, and their legal representatives to collaborate on and prepare H-1B registrations, Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, [...]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a final rule that will increase the filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, to adjust for inflation. The USCIS Stabilization Act established the current premium processing fees and the authority for the Department of Homeland Security to adjust the premium fees on a biennial basis. After [...]
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2024. READ MORE
The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) assists individuals and employers in resolving difficulties they are experiencing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
On October 17, 2023, DOS sent for review a Federal Register notice entitled Pilot Program to Resume Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States for Certain Qualified Noncitizens to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. This document, once published, will lay out the eligibility criteria for participation in the Stateside Visa Renewal [...]
USCIS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the H-1B regulations. The NPRM states that the changes will “modernize and improve the efficiency of the H-1B program, add benefits and flexibilities, and improve integrity measures.” The NPRM will be published in the Federal Register on 10/23/23. READ MORE
In a series of FAQs, DOL issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Round 4 – Labor Condition Application (LCA/ ETA Form 9035/9035E), for the H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 programs. It is important to note that the key element of filing an LCA when there is a “material change in the nature of employment”, [...]