The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently announced a new mail delivery process for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to receive an alien documentation, identification, and telecommunication (ADIT) stamp (also known as an I-551 stamp) as temporary evidence of the LPR's status. Under the new...
Answer While it is possible to file an H1B petition while the beneficiary is outside the United States, the case would have to be filed for consular notification (also commonly called "consular processing"). If the case is filed for consular notification, the USCIS will not approve...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently announced that first time F and M student visa applicants now can be issued visas up to 365 days in advance of the program start date listed on the I-20 form. Prior to this change, F and M...
Answer Traveling to India does not impact the validity of the H1B registration. However, if the petition requests a change of status (as opposed to being filed for consular processing), you should be in the U.S. at the time of filing and remain in the U.S....
Answer No, an H1B registration is not the same thing as a nonimmigrant petition. Having a prior registration that was not selected does not require the employer to answer "YES" to the question about having previously filed a petition for the beneficiary. (30.Mar.2023)Sheela Murthy and other...
Answer No. Ordinarily, the earliest start date that can be requested for an H1B cap case is October 1st, which is the first day of the new fiscal year. (30.Mar.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expanding premium processing service for F-1 students applying for employment authorization documents (EADs) pursuant to OPT and STEM OPT extensions. The USCIS goal is to offer a more predictable process for timely adjudication for F-1 students applying...
This afternoon, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that enough initial registrations were submitted to the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) H1B cap, including the advanced degree exemption (master's cap). The online accounts should now show one of the following for each registration:Submitted...
On March 7, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issued updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual for mobile biometrics collection. This guidance clarifies the circumstances under which the USCIS will offer mobile biometrics for individuals who are unable to attend appointments at...
Answer Generally speaking, as long as the previous I-140 is still valid, it can be used for purposes of extending H1B status beyond the six-year max, assuming the individual otherwise qualifies for this benefit. Once 180 days have passed following the approval of an I-140 petition,...
