Recently, the Office obtained yet another approval (IOE8007774496) in the Employment Based First Preference Category. This was a welcome approval for a long-suffering, extremely talented, highly qualified legal immigrant (COB: India), who had spent over a decade waiting for a green card. READ MORE
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
In consolidated appeals, the court affirmed the district courts’ denials of injunctive relief in cases in which the plaintiffs, a group of Indian nationals with approved EB-2 petitions who have been waiting in a visa queue for more than 10 years, sued to compel USCIS to act on their applications for adjustment of status, where [...]
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).
USCIS announced certain renewal applicants who have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, qualify for an automatic extension of their expiring employment authorization and/or employment authorization documents (EADs) while their renewal application is pending. Starting today, those who are eligible will receive 180-day extensions in accordance with existing regulations, including those who have applied [...]