Today, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the February 2024 Visa Bulletin. Unsurprisingly, there is little-to-no movement in most of the employment-based categories. All cutoff dates listed refer to those in the final action chart (i.e., Chart A), unless otherwise specified. Visa Bulletin Summary Employment-Based, First...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently published a final rule in the Federal Register announcing an increase in premium processing fees that will go into effect February 26, 2024. The fee increase is based on the inflation index from June 2021 through June...
To apply for status as a lawful permanent resident ("LPR") in an employment-based category, a foreign national typically must be sponsored by a U.S. employer. One exception to this, however, is the national interest waiver (NIW), which falls under the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category....
On December 12, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the release of updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual relating to family-based conditional permanent residents (CPRs). The USCIS added consolidated guidance to the policy manual, which includes updated direction on waivers based...
The holiday season provides many with opportunities to have a good time, and a few drinks, with friends. Those who choose to do so should arrange for a designated driver or other safe, sober transportation home. Alcohol-related arrests, not to mention serious accidents, are all...
Answer If the latest approval notice is not presented, the CBP officer at the port of entry typically will not admit the dependent spouse beyond the expiration date listed on the visa (which generally is the expiration date from the original H1B approval notice). (28.Dec.2023)Sheela Murthy...
Answer If you filed the application to change status prior to the end of your grace period, this likely would have placed you in a period of authorized stay. Assuming you leave the U.S. while that application is still pending and return with a valid H1B...
When individuals have a brush with criminal law, they are often afraid and, typically, very embarrassed. Such experiences generally are shared, if at all, only with those closest to the individual. Thus, it often feels as if there is no one to turn to for...
While scientists have been known to investigate whether it is physically possible for Santa Claus to travel around the world in just one night, they tend to overlook the legal implications of the jolly man’s travels to bring toys and gifts to children in the...
The details of the U.S. Department of State (DOS) pilot program to resume renewals of H1B visas from within the United States have been released, and will be officially published in the Federal Register tomorrow. The program will begin accepting applications on January 29, 2024....
