Most months, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. Following the release of the December 2019 Visa Bulletin, Mr. Oppenheim updates predictions for some of the employment-based categories, as well...
Effective December 2, 2019, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing a stricter, more formalized fee waiver policy. The USCIS justified this policy change by noting that the agency is almost entirely funded by fee revenue, and fee waivers cost the agency hundreds...
This evening, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a proposed rule to increase filing fees for most types of applications and petitions. It would also add a number of new fees and change certain other immigration benefit request requirements. The proposed rule is...
Answer Working based on an H-4 EAD typically would have no impact on a company's ability to sponsor you for a green card. As long as you meet the standard requirements, the company can sponsor you for an EB3 position. (07.Nov.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...
On November 2, 2019, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that prevents enforcement of President Trump's executive order that would have required a foreign national requesting admission on an immigrant visa to have qualifying health insurance. The rule had been scheduled to...
Answer In the current environment, the USCIS generally will only approve an expedite request if the person can provide a compelling reason and strong supporting evidence for the expedite request. That being said, if the request is denied, this normally should not negatively impact the pending...
On October 11, 2019, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register, entitled Visas: Ineligibility Based on Public Charge Grounds. Once this interim final rule goes into effect, it will greatly expand the categories of public benefits considered...
Answer In the family-based preference categories, the spouse and/or minor children of the primary beneficiary may also benefit from the single-petition filing. Normally, one does not need to file a separate petition for these family members. (16.Oct.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...
Answer Normally, there is no issue with the spouse of an H1B worker traveling back and forth using an H-4 visa, even for short trips to the U.S. It is possible to do this with a B-2 visa, as well; but, unlike B-2 visitors, a person...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced today that the interim final rule regarding visa ineligibility based on public charge grounds is not yet being implemented. Per the announcement, "visa applicants are not requested to take any additional steps at this time and should attend...
