Answer No. Under the new F-1 fixed-period-of-admission rule scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, the Form I-20 and the I-94 will serve different purposes. An F-1 student admitted under the new rule will need to maintain a valid Form I-20 and comply with all...
Answer The likely explanation is that USCIS is revoking no-longer-needed five-year EADs/APs tied to I-485 applications which have been approved. These revocations generally are not ground for concern. (11.Aug.2026) Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services,...
Answer If a person is applying for naturalization under the five-year rule, rather than the three-year rule based on marriage to a U.S. citizen, a pending divorce would generally not prevent approval of the N-400 application. (04.Aug.2026) Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...
Answer You may still have a conviction for immigration purposes. A conviction for immigration purposes can exist even if the court withholds adjudication and later dismisses the case, so long as the person entered a guilty plea, no contest plea, or admitted sufficient facts, and the...
Answer An expired F-1 visa stamp does not affect a student's ability to remain in the United States, provided the student continues to maintain valid F-1 status. However, if the student travels abroad after the visa stamp expires, a new F-1 visa typically is required to...
Answer Yes. USCIS is still requesting the $100,000 fee for covered petitions, and the fee remains in effect and collectible for now. Although the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down the fee on June 8, finding it to be an unauthorized tax,...
Answer Generally, no. An H1B worker ordinarily may begin employment with the new employer as soon as the H1B transfer petition is properly filed with USCIS, assuming all other portability requirements are met. Employers may have their own onboarding policies, but the physical receipt notice is...
Answer AC21 portability, in part, requires that the I-485 application must have been pending for at least 180 days, and the I-140 petition remained approved through that point. If the employer withdraws the I-140 before the I-485 has been pending for 180 days, then the requirements...
Answer The law requires the EB5 investment amount to be adjusted for inflation starting January 1, 2027 and again every five years thereafter. The exact amounts have not yet been announced, but both the standard investment amount and the reduced amount for investments in targeted employment...
Answer A "U" on the Visa Bulletin means the category is unavailable because all available immigrant visa numbers for that fiscal year have been used. As a result, USCIS cannot approve adjustment of status applications or issue immigrant visas in that category while it remains unavailable....
