NEWS
H-1B
USCIS Will Temporarily Suspend Premium Processing for All H-1B Petitions
Starting April 3, 2017, USCIS will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions. This suspension may last up to 6 months. https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-will-temporarily-suspend-premium-processing-all-h-1b-petitions
Erroneous H-1B Approval Notices with “1B1” Annotation
We have been receiving USCIS I-797 Notices of Approval for H-1B that is annotated "1B1". The USCIS California Service Center (CSC) has confirmed that this was a technical error that has now been resolved, and that USCIS will reprint corrected approval notices. Amended notices that reflect the H-1B designation will be mailed this [...]
USCIS Releases Updated Handbook for Employers
USCIS has released an updated Handbook for Employers, Guidance for Completing Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification form) rev. 1/22/17
H-1B CAP – Should I, or Should I Not File?
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 [...]
Latest Update on H-1B Executive Order
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 [...]
USCIS Publishes Final Rule on Certain Employment-Based Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visa Programs
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 [...]
E-Verify User Manual for Corporate Administrators
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 FEES TO BE RAISED FOR SEVERAL PETITION CATEGORIES – EFFECTIVE DATE 12/23/2016
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 [...]
FAQ on Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses
On February 26, 2015, USCIS hosted a teleconference about new regulatory changes, effective May 26, 2015, that extended eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of certain H-1B nonimmigrants who have already started the process of seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status. Those eligible include H-4 dependent spouses of principal [...]
Known Employer Pilot Program Test
The USCIS has created the Known Employer pilot to assess a way to streamline the process for employers seeking to hire certain workers through employment-based visa categories. By modifying the process by which USCIS reviews an employer’s eligibility to sponsor individuals under certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa classifications, the Known Employer pilot is [...]
Webinar- H-1B – Lessons From FY2016 – How to Prepare for FY2017 H-1B Season
Please register for H-1B – Lessons From FY2016 - How to Prepare for FY2017 H-1B Season on Feb 12, 2016 12:00 PM EST at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8654143144839593217 The idea behind this webinar is to harness the valuable experience learned from processing H-1Bs from prior years and how the various RFEs have created a valuable source [...]
Proposed I-765 revisions to accomodate EAD for beneficiaries of approved I-140 petitions
A draft version of a revised form I-765, application for employment authorization has been released.
H-1B and L-1 Fee Increase** Applicable for a Select Few
On 12/18/15, the President signed into law the omnibus appropriations bill for 2016. Highlights of Business Immigration Provisions of the Act: The bill extends the EB-5, Conrad 30, Special Immigrant Religious Workers, and E-Verify programs through the end of FY2016. Fee Increase: It also includes the following changes to the currently expired H-1B/L-1 [...]
Law Requiring Payment of $2,000/$2,250.00 in Additional Fees Sunsets
The USCIS released this update this morning: H-1B and L-1 petitions filed on or after Oct. 1, 2015, should not include the additional fee that was previously required by Section 402 of Public Law 111-230, as amended by Public Law 111-347, for certain H-1B and L-1 petitions. The additional fee required by Public [...]
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for Extension of Stay H-1B Petitions
USCIS announced this today. Beginning July 13, 2015, USCIS will resume accepting Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for all Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, H-1B extension of stay petitions. Premium processing requests for Form I-129 H-1B extension of stay petitions received by USCIS before July 13, 2015 will be [...]
USCIS Clarifies Scope of Premium Processing H-1B Suspension
In response to an inquiry by AILA, USCIS has confirmed that the temporary suspension of premium processing for H-1B extensions applies to any H-1B petition requesting an extension of stay for the beneficiary regardless of whether the petition is filed by the same employer or is requesting a change of employer. Courtesy - [...]
USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing for Extension of Stay H-1B Petitions
Starting May 26, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B Extension of Stay petitions until July 27, 2015. During this time frame, petitioners will not be able to file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, [...]
Form I-9 Webinar On-Demand
USCIS has published an informative webinar thats's available on demand about Form I-9 and how to properly complete it. Please watch the I-9 Form webinar.
H-1B Petition Rejected – F-1 Student Options
If an H-1B petition filed on your behalf did not make the 'Random Selection Process', you have certain options. If you are currently in F-1 status with an OPT, students in STEM programs could immediately apply for a 17-months extension of Optional Practical Training. A. Eligibility for STEM extension: The student must have [...]
H-4 Spouses Employment Authorization – Advanced Copy of Proposed Rule
DHS issued advance copies of two proposed rules for foreign high-skilled workers, including a rule that would extend the availability of employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of principal H-1B nonimmigrants and a rule to update the regulations for H-1B1, CW-1, E-3 nonimmigrants, and EB-1 immigrants. Courtesy - AILA. Read the proposed [...]