USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding eligibility requirements, filing, and adjudication of requests to replace Permanent Resident Cards using Form I-90. The effective date for this policy is January 16, 2020. Comments are due by January 30, 2020.
USCIS published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the implementation of the registration process for H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY2021. The initial H-1B petition registration period will begin on 3/1/20. USCIS intends to close the initial registration period on 3/20/20 and will announce the actual end date on its website. (85 FR 1176, 1/9/20)
USCIS expanded its policy guidance regarding unlawful acts that may prevent an applicant from meeting the good moral character requirement for naturalization. The commission of, or conviction or imprisonment for, an unlawful act, during the statutory period for naturalization, may render an applicant ineligible for naturalization should the act be found to adversely reflect on [...]
USCIS announced that it has completed a successful pilot testing phase and is implementing the registration process in the next H-1B lottery. Employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the fiscal year 2021 cap, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, must first electronically register and pay the associated $10 H-1B registration fee. [...]
“Yes, we did process your friend’s case and yes, his petition was approved. But even though you appear to have the same background, your current circumstances do not warrant a successful petition.” A recent conversation I had with a prospective client ended along these lines. I was just not comfortable accepting the case even though [...]
USCIS today announced a final rule that will require a $10 non-refundable fee for each H-1B registration submitted by petitioning employers, once it implements the electronic registration system. The final rule, Registration Fee Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File H-1B Petitions on Behalf of Cap-Subject Aliens, is effective Dec. 9, 2019, and the fee will [...]
USCIS is revising its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to align with the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule, published on July 24, 2019, and effective November 21, 2019. Read the policy updates.
DOL OFLC posted H-1B program statistics as of 9/30/19.
DOL OFLC posted PERM program statistics as of 9/30/19.
USCIS announced beginning on Nov. 29, it is adjusting the fee to request premium processing for certain employment-based petitions. The premium processing fee will increase to $1,440 from the current fee of $1,410 for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.