In the backdrop of the Executive Orders and H.R. 670 (H.R.670 - High-Skilled Integrity and Fairness Act of 2017), we have received several questions over the past few weeks regarding the filing of H-1B Petitions for this fiscal year (April 1, 2017). Several of you want to know if salaries are going to spike for [...]
In response to rumors of plans to expand the travel ban to other countries, DOS informed the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that there is no addendum, annex, or amendment now being worked on to expand visa revocations or the travel ban to countries other than those currently implicated in the Executive Order entitled, "Protecting [...]
The DOS clarified that the Executive Order (13769 on Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals) does not restrict the travel of dual nationals from any country with a valid U.S. visa in a passport of an unrestricted country. It states, our Embassies and Consulates around the world will continue to process visa [...]
Over the past 48 hours there has been a flurry of immigration related activity in the news, at our airports. Immigrants traveling to, or returning from visits abroad have been put through increased scrutiny at international airports. Here is a quick update and what you need to know. President Trump issued an Executive Order on [...]
According to a report by Bloomberg, “President Donald Trump’s clash with Silicon Valley over immigration is about to become even more contentious.” We are now awaiting an Executive Order that may seriously impact H-1B Visas and other nonimmigrant Visa categories like the L-1A, L-1B, H1B1, etc. The executive order is still a draft, according to [...]
White house press secretary Sean Spicer was just responding to a direct question on whether the President is likely to issue an Executive Order on the H-1B visa. Here's his response: With respect to h1bs and other visas, it is part of a larger immigration reform effort that the President will continue to talk about [...]
USCIS has published a final rule to modernize and improve several aspects of certain employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa programs. USCIS has also amended regulations to better enable U.S. employers to hire and retain certain foreign workers who are beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions and are waiting to become lawful permanent residents. This [...]
USCIS provides an updated M-1053, E-Verify User Manual for Corporate Administrators which provides guidance on E-Verify processes and outlines the rules and responsibilities for corporate administrators enrolled in E-Verify. Read the updated E-Verify User Manual
USCIS published a Fee Increase schedule in the Federal Register today. Applications and petitions mailed, postmarked, or otherwise filed on or after 12/23/16 must include new fee. (81 FR 73292, 10/24/16) USCIS Fee Schedule (pdf) A few important Forms and the corresponding fee increases are listed below: Form From To I-129 $325.00 $460.00 I-539 [...]
ALERT: Effective May 10, 2016, DHS is amending its F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education. Such F-1 students who have elected to pursue 12 months of post-completion OPT in the United States may [...]