NEWS
March 2020 Visa Bulletin
March 2020 Visa Bulletin is now available.
Quick Reference Guide to Some Important Forms and Fee Increases for H-1B Employers
We have compiled a Quick Reference Guide to Some Important Forms and Fee Increases for H-1B Employers.
The IOWA Caucus Fiasco May Have Lessons For H-1B CAP Registration
In order to be proactive and ensure H-1B CAP petitions are filed on time and with the least amount of disruption, it may be prudent and certainly proactive to commence processing of H-1B petitions as in previous years. I believe it is better to be prepared than find oneself in a situation like the Democrats did in Iowa on Monday night
President Trump expands travel ban to additional countries
On January 31, 2020 President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation expanding Travel Ban 3.0 to include certain foreign nationals of the following six countries: Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania. According to the Department of Homeland Security, these [...]
USCIS Data on Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker Receipts, Completions, and RFEs from FY 2015-2020
USCIS has compiled data on receipts, completions, RFEs from FY2015 to FY2020 for various employment-based non-immigrant visa categories. Read the statistics here.
OFLC Announces Decommissioning Schedule for the iCERT System Labor Certification Registry
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is making this public service announcement to alert employers and other interested stakeholders that the iCERT System Labor Certification Registry, which provides public access to labor certification decisions in the PERM, LCA, [...]
DOS Final Rule Amending B Visa Regulations
DOS final rule governing the issuance of B non-immigrant visas for temporary visitors is effective 1/24/2020. This rule establishes that travel to the United States with the primary purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in [...]
February 2020 Visa Bulletin
February 2020 Visa Bulletin is now available.
USCIS Issues Policy Alert on Replacing Permanent Resident Cards (Form I-90)
USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding eligibility requirements, filing, and adjudication of requests to replace Permanent Resident Cards using Form I-90. The effective date for this policy is January 16, 2020. Comments are due by January [...]
USCIS Notice of Implementation of H-1B Registration Process for FY2021
USCIS published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the implementation of the registration process for H-1B cap-subject petitions for FY2021. The initial H-1B petition registration period will begin on 3/1/20. USCIS intends to close the initial registration period on [...]
January 2020 Visa Bulletin
January 2020 Visa Bulletin is now available.
USCIS Expands Guidance Related to Naturalization Requirement of Good Moral Character
USCIS expanded its policy guidance regarding unlawful acts that may prevent an applicant from meeting the good moral character requirement for naturalization. The commission of, or conviction or imprisonment for, an unlawful act, during the statutory period for naturalization, may [...]
USCIS Announces Implementation of H-1B Electronic Registration Process for Fiscal Year 2021 Cap Season
USCIS announced that it has completed a successful pilot testing phase and is implementing the registration process in the next H-1B lottery. Employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the fiscal year 2021 cap, including those eligible for the [...]
“Aliens of Extraordinary Ability” – What Do Successful Petitions Require?
“Yes, we did process your friend’s case and yes, his petition was approved. But even though you appear to have the same background, your current circumstances do not warrant a successful petition.” A recent conversation I had with a prospective [...]
December 2019 Visa Bulletin
December 2019 Visa Bulletin is now available.
USCIS Implements $10 Fee for H-1B Visa Registration
USCIS today announced a final rule that will require a $10 non-refundable fee for each H-1B registration submitted by petitioning employers, once it implements the electronic registration system. The final rule, Registration Fee Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File H-1B [...]
USCIS Issues Policy Alert on EB-5 Modernization Final Rule
USCIS is revising its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to align with the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Modernization Final Rule, published on July 24, 2019, and effective November 21, 2019. Read the policy updates.
DOL Statistics on H-1Bs from Fourth Quarter FY2019
DOL OFLC posted H-1B program statistics as of 9/30/19.
DOL Statistics on PERM from Fourth Quarter FY2019
DOL OFLC posted PERM program statistics as of 9/30/19.
USCIS Adjusting Premium Processing Fee
USCIS announced beginning on Nov. 29, it is adjusting the fee to request premium processing for certain employment-based petitions. The premium processing fee will increase to $1,440 from the current fee of $1,410 for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant [...]