Answer In many cases, is not necessary to go to one's home country to apply for a visa. But, before applying at a consular post as a third country national (TCN), one should look to see if the post has any restrictions regarding TCN applicants. The...
The Murthy Law Firm regularly assists foreign nationals in filing self-sponsored immigrant petitions under the EB1(a) category as persons of extraordinary ability (EA). In one such case, the immigrant petition (form I-140) was filed for an expert in the field of computer networking and information...
In recent years, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has focused heavily on the issue of foreign nationals who have multiple H1B registrations filed in the annual H1B lottery. The USCIS continues to closely examine many of the previously approved H1B petitions, issuing notices...
A student in F-1 status, who is on Optional Practical Training (OPT), may have no more than a total of 90 days of unemployment during the regular one-year post-completion OPT period. A student eligible for an additional 24 months of OPT (for a total of...
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) recently sent a comment to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) regarding the pilot domestic visa renewal program, which ran from January 29, 2024, through April 1, 2024. In its comment, AILA offers numerous suggestions on ways to improve...
Although the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) primarily operates inside the United States, the agency has field offices abroad that provide limited services. At one time, the USCIS had as many as 24 overseas offices, until the Trump Administration began shutting them down, as...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently highlighted various key statistics related to the registrations submitted in this year's H1B lottery, arguing that the changes made to the program have succeeded in bringing greater integrity to the H1B program. As explained by the USCIS,...
Answer If you have a facially valid H1B visa, there typically would be no need to go to the consulate. You can request readmission based on the existing visa and the approved petition from the new employer. (01.May.2024)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced the incorporation of the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) definition of "science or art" into its policy manual for Schedule A, Group II cases. The policy change goes into effect immediately. Background An employer sponsoring a foreign national...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) strictly enforces the requirement to file the optional practical training (OPT) application within 30 days of the date the designated school official (DSO) enters the OPT recommendation into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record, and...
