On 26.Feb.2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued updated guidance in the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) removing the policy that a consular officer’s recommendation for approval of a foreign national’s nonimmigrant visa (NIV) waiver request be consistent with a prior adjudication of the individual’s...
USCIS granted grace periods for the implementation of recently updated forms I-485, I-131, & N-400, among others. Each form has its own grace period, so as always, confirm which form to use before filing!...
The Trump administration is planning to impose a travel ban for foreign nationals from Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to an unconfirmed report by Reuters. According to Reuters, the ban could be implemented as soon as next week. Moreover, it is possible that, in addition to...
As the H1B cap registration season approaches, it is essential for employers to ensure that all information submitted in the electronic registration is accurate. With the transition to a beneficiary-centric registration system last year, even minor errors can have significant consequences. While the U.S. Citizenship...
Answer No, submitting an H1B cap registration earlier in the registration period does not improve the chances of selection. The lottery is conducted after the registration period closes, and all properly submitted registrations received between noon Eastern on March 7 and noon Eastern on March 24...
Answer If the U.S. affiliate has a separate FEIN from the company sponsoring you, then experience gained with that affiliate is not subject to the “on the job” experience restrictions. The same typically is true for a foreign affiliate that is a separate business entity. (05.Mar.2025)Sheela...
Answer This generally would be possible only if the current H1B petition has not yet expired. Otherwise, she typically would have to wait for the H1B extension to be approved before she could apply for an H-4 visa “stamp.” (05.Mar.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide...
USCIS recently released a number of new forms effective immediately, including form I-485 used to apply for a “green card,” providing no notice or grace period for the old form. If your old form was mailed before the announcement on March 3rd, and arrived at...
On 28.Feb.2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy memorandum that dramatically expands the circumstances under which the USCIS intends to issue a notice to appear (NTA), or refer cases to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for NTA issuance. An...
DOS and USCIS have issued all available immigrant visas for the EB4 Special Immigrant visa category, which includes religious workers, broadcasters, certain physicians, employees of international organizations, and armed forces members. The annual limits will reset with the start of the 2026 fiscal year on...
