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 [...]
As of April 13, 2016, USCIS revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The revised version is available at uscis.gov/n-400. You may continue to use the 9/13/13 edition of the form until August 9, 2016. USCIS reject and return previous versions of Form N-400 submitted on or after August 10, 2016.
On 3/11/16, DHS published a final rule on the OPT program for students in STEM fields. The new STEM OPT extension is a 24-month period of temporary training and replaces the 17-month STEM OPT extension, and takes effect on 5/10/16. SEVP will host a live webinar on April 14, 2016 from 2 to 3 p.m. [...]