NEWS
June 2020 Visa Bulletin
June 2020 Visa Bulletin is now available.
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30 to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain: Requests for Evidence; Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14); Notices of Intent to Deny; Notices [...]
USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4
USCIS plans to begin reopening the offices on or after June 4, unless the public closures are extended further. USCIS staff are continuing to perform duties that do not involve face-to-face contact with the public. USCIS will provide further updates [...]
May 2020 Visa Bulletin
May 2020 Visa Bulletin is now available.
Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market
I am writing to provide you with update on what started as a sensational Tweet two days ago – the plan to “suspend immigration” to the United States. We now know what the plan entails, and I am providing you [...]
Immigration Impact Of President Trump’s Tweet Temporarily Suspending Immigration Into The United States
Last night, President Trump tweeted: “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into [...]
USCIS news release on COVID-19 Delays in Extension/Change of Status Filings
USCIS issued a news release with options for nonimmigrants who may unexpectedly remain in the U.S. beyond their authorized period of stay due to COVID-19. USCIS advises that they individuals can file EOS/COS applications, and VWP entrants can request [...]
USCIS Announces FY2021 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions May Be Filed as of April 1
USCIS announced that H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY 2021, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption,may now be filed with USCIS if based on a valid selected registration. A petitioner is only eligible to file an FY 2021 [...]
USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended Until at Least May 3
USCIS announced that it is extending the temporary suspension of in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers until at least May 3, 2020. USCIS will begin reopening its offices on May 4, 2020, unless the [...]
H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection has Commenced
The USCIS has commenced the selection of H-1B registrations. You may begin seeing selected candidates in your MyUSCIS account. As indicated in an earlier post, USCIS intends to notify petitioners with selected registrations no later than March 31, 2020, that [...]
H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed
USCIS has received enough electronic registrations during the initial period to reach the FY 2021 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap). USCIS randomly selected from among the registrations properly submitted. USCIS intend to notify petitioners with selected registrations no later than [...]
USCIS Announces Flexibility for Requests for Evidence, Notices of Intent to Deny
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that it is adopting measures to minimize the immigration consequences associated with responding to requests for evidence (RFEs) and notices of intent to deny (NOIDs) dated [...]
Can H-1Bs and other nonimmigrants apply for unemployment benefits?
As the COVID-19 crisis evolves, several businesses and employees have been impacted. Several questions arise in this context regarding status, unemployment benefits and the all-important question as to whether seeking and receiving unemployment benefits would be considered a public [...]
OFLC Announces Issuance of Electronic PERM Labor Certifications in Response to the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is making this public service announcement to alert employers and other interested stakeholders that, beginning March 25, 2020, and through June 30, 2020, the Atlanta [...]
USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Read the USCIS announcement
USCIS Announces Flexibility in Submitting Required Signatures During COVID-19 National Emergency
USCIS today announced that, due to the ongoing COVID-19 National Emergency announced by President Trump on March 13, 2020, they will accept all benefit forms and documents with reproduced original signatures, including the Form I-129, Petition for Non immigrant Worker, [...]
USCIS H-1B Registration Ends
The USCIS Registration for CAP subject H-1Bs ends at noon ET today. Registration Selection Notifications As stated on the USCIS website, the Service intends to notify registrants and their representatives with selected registrations via their USCIS online accounts no later [...]
WORKING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC – Office Working Hours and Petition Filing Procedure
At the outset, we want to remind our clients that your immigration is our priority. Please stay safe while we continue to assist you during this global crisis. In keeping with the nationwide trend, our office has resorted to [...]
Form I-9, Employment Verification During COVID-19
DHS Announces Flexibility in Requirements Related to Form I-9 Compliance Due to precautions being implemented by employers and employees related to physical proximity associated with COVID-19, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that it will exercise discretion [...]
DOS Suspends Routine Visa Services in Most Countries
DOS announced that in response to COVID-19, it is suspending routine visa services in most countries worldwide. Embassies and consulates in these countries will cancel all routine visa appointments as of March 18, 2020. Check the website of the embassy [...]