USCIS will resume premium processing for certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions effective immediately. The H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year. Additionally, there is an annual “master’s cap” of 20,000 petitions filed for beneficiaries with a U.S. master’s degree or higher. Premium processing will resume for petitions that may be exempt [...]
In what appears to be a pattern, the USCIS is questioning whether a position is a specialty occupation by referencing the fact that the labor condition application (LCA) reflects a level 1 wage, indicating that it is an entry-level position that is not specialized or complex. The American Immigration Lawyers Association is aware of this [...]
USCIS published a revised Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). The revised version gives applicants better information to accurately complete Form I-485, including clear navigation to the parts of the form and isntructions that are relevant to the applicants’ specific situations. These updates should increase the efficiency of the adjudication process [...]
USCIS will resume premium processing for all H-1B petitions filed for medical doctors under the Conrad 30 Waiver program, as well as interested government agency waivers starting Monday, June 26. The Conrad 30 program allows certain medical doctors to stay in the United States on a temporary visa after completing their medical training to work [...]
USCIS announced on May 3, 2017 that it has completed data entry of all fiscal year 2018 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in the computer-generated random process. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected. Due to the high volume of filings, USCIS is unable to provide a definite time frame [...]
USCIS today announced a redesign to the Green Card and EAD. The new cards will be issued on May 1, 2017. The redesigned cards will be more secure and tamper-resistant and deter counterfeiting and fraud than the ones currently in use. The new Green Cards and EADs will: Display the individual’s photos on both [...]
USCIS hosted webinars on March 13, 20 to discuss updates to the USCIS Immigrant Fee payment process. An overview of the online payment process and the electronic identity verification process was provided. The powerpoint presentation of the same is outlined here.
USCIS issued a policy memorandum on March 31, 2017, that supersedes and rescinds a December 22, 2000, memorandum with guidance on H-1B computer-related positions issued by the Nebraska Service Center (NSC). The new memo offers clarity on USCIS's approach to determining whether the position of "Computer Programmer" is deemed a "specialty occupation" that would be [...]
DOL announced plans today to protect U.S. workers from H-1B program discrimination by providing greater transparency and oversight. The department will protect American workers against discrimination through the following actions: Rigorously use all of its existing authority to initiate investigations of H-1B program violators. This effort to protect U.S. workers will also involve greater coordination [...]
USCIS has announced multiple measures to further deter and detect H-1B visa fraud and abuse. Beginning today, USCIS will take a more targeted approach when making site visits across the country to H-1B petitioners and the worksites of H-1B employees. USCIS will focus on: Cases where USCIS cannot validate the employer’s basic business information through [...]