NEWS
PERM Confirmation Process Changed
Department of Labor to Provide Employers With 30 Days to Confirm Filing The Department of Labor (DOL) has communicated that it has changed the sponsorship confirmation process after the filing of a PERM application. The new PERM sponsorship confirmation process [...]
Premium Processing Now Available for All Petitioners Seeking H-1B Visas
USCIS resumed premium processing today for all H-1B visa extension of stay petitions. Premium processing is now available for all types of H-1B petitions. When a petitioner requests the agency’s premium processing service, USCIS guarantees a 15-calendar day processing [...]
New USCIS Form Streamlines Process to Obtain a Work Authorization Document and Social Security Number Simultaneously
Based on a new information-sharing partnership between USCIS and the Social Security Administration ,foreign nationals in certain categories or classifications can now apply for work authorization and a social security number using a single form – the updated Form I-765, [...]
USCIS to phase in interviews for employment-based adjustment of status applications
Effective Oct.1, USCIS will begin to phase-in interviews for the Adjustment of status applications based on employment (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). Read the news release.
**WARNING**Travel While Advance Parole Application is Pending Will be Considered Abandonment**WARNING
USCIS will deny Form I-131, Advance Parole applications for abandonment in instances in which the applicant has traveled abroad during the pendency of the application, even if the applicant has a separate valid advance parole document or a valid H, [...]
Retaining Form I-9
To calculate how long to keep an employee’s Form I-9 after employment is terminated, enter the following: 1. Date the employee began work for pay 1. ________________________ A. Add 3 years to the date on line 1. A. ______________________ 2. [...]
Naturalization Test Now in App Form
Civics Test Study Tools is an official application of USCIS, designed to help you study for the civics test portion of the naturalization interview. Download the USCIS Civics Test Study Tools app for Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/uscis-civics-test-study-tools/id1216824613?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Download the USCIS Civics Test [...]
June 2017 Visa Issuance for India and China
Nationality Visa Type Number India H-1B 7,903 India H4 10,9015 India L-1 1,654 India L-2 2,315 China H-1B 1,472 China H-4 472 China L-1 419 China L-2 461
Revised Form I-9 Now Available
USCIS released a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, on July 17. Download instructions are available on the Form I-9 page. Employers can use this revised version or continue using Form I-9 with a revision date of 11/14/16 [...]
USCIS Launches Mobile Form for Replacing Green Card
Lawful permanent residents who file the online Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card, without assistance from an attorney or accredited representative, can now file their form and upload evidence entirely on a mobile device. The redesign of the [...]
Retaining Form I-9
To calculate how long to keep an employee’s Form I-9 after employment is terminated, enter the following: 1. Date the employee began work for pay 1. ________________________ A. Add 3 years to the date on line 1. A. ______________________ [...]
H-1B Premium Processing NOT for Most H-1B Petitions
The USCIS announcement dated July 24th does not apply to most H-1B petitions filed and currently pending with the USCIS. Most importantly, it does not include CAP Gap petitions that have to be adjudicated prior to September 30th in order [...]
USCIS to Resume H-1B Premium Processing for Certain Cap-Exempt Petitions
USCIS will resume premium processing for certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions effective immediately. The H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year. Additionally, there is an annual “master’s cap” of 20,000 petitions filed for beneficiaries with a [...]
USCIS Targets Level 1 Salary on LCA to Question Specialty Occupation Nature of H-1B Position
In what appears to be a pattern, the USCIS is questioning whether a position is a specialty occupation by referencing the fact that the labor condition application (LCA) reflects a level 1 wage, indicating that it is an entry-level position [...]
USCIS Introduces Redesigned Form for Green Card Applicants
USCIS published a revised Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). The revised version gives applicants better information to accurately complete Form I-485, including clear navigation to the parts of the form and isntructions that are relevant [...]
USCIS to Resume H-1B Premium Processing for Physicians under the Conrad 30 Waiver Program
USCIS will resume premium processing for all H-1B petitions filed for medical doctors under the Conrad 30 Waiver program, as well as interested government agency waivers starting Monday, June 26. The Conrad 30 program allows certain medical doctors to stay [...]
ALERT for Students w/Cap Gap Waiting on H-1B CAP Rejection or Decision
USCIS announced on May 3, 2017 that it has completed data entry of all fiscal year 2018 H-1B cap-subject petitions selected in the computer-generated random process. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap-subject petitions that were not selected. Due [...]
USCIS Will Issue Redesigned Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents
USCIS today announced a redesign to the Green Card and EAD. The new cards will be issued on May 1, 2017. The redesigned cards will be more secure and tamper-resistant and deter counterfeiting and fraud than the ones currently in [...]
USCIS Provides PowerPoint Presentation on Immigrant Fee Payment Process
USCIS hosted webinars on March 13, 20 to discuss updates to the USCIS Immigrant Fee payment process. An overview of the online payment process and the electronic identity verification process was provided. The powerpoint presentation of the same is outlined [...]
USCIS Rescinds 2000 NSC Guidance on H-1B Computer-Related Positions
USCIS issued a policy memorandum on March 31, 2017, that supersedes and rescinds a December 22, 2000, memorandum with guidance on H-1B computer-related positions issued by the Nebraska Service Center (NSC). The new memo offers clarity on USCIS's approach to [...]