The May 2016 Visa Bulletin was released by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) earlier today. Unsurprisingly, there is very little movement in the employment-based categories.In the final action (FA) chart, the cutoff date in the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category for India moves ahead by...
The finalized STEM optional practical training (OPT) rule goes into effect on May 10, 2016. The revised regulations allow for a 24-month OPT extension for students with qualifying STEM degrees. Background: Replaces Vacated STEM OPT Regulations As explained in the MurthyDotCom NewsBrief, STEM OPT Could End in...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that the H1B cap limit for fiscal year 2017 (FY17) has been reached. This applies to both the 65,000 regular H1B cap limit as well as the 20,000 advanced degree (masters) cap exemptions.As the H1B case...
On March 18, 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued the finalized policy memorandum on determining whether a new job is the same or similar in the context of a job change pursuant to the American Competitiveness in the Twenty First Century Act (AC21)....
Beginning tomorrow, April 1, 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting cap-subject H1B petitions for fiscal year 2017 (FY17). The USCIS will continue to accept cap cases through April 7, 2016. It is widely expected that the number of petitions filed...
Starting April 1, 2016, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will begin issuing 14-day termination notices to students who fail to submit requested additional documentation within the 30 days allowed following their admission to the United States. This information comes via an official notice issued...
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has issued an alert regarding an intermittent technical problem in the PERM labor certification (LC) system. This glitch causes information to disappear from the completed PERM form ETA 9089 after online submission. PERM Section K Information Mishaps The PERM LC process...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) provides visa bulletin clarifications on a monthly basis through Charles Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division. The information from Mr. Oppenheim regarding the April 2016 Visa Bulletin explains some of the reasons for the very limited...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has created an assistance desk for employment-based, fifth preference (EB5) investors. This effort to improve service for EB5 cases was launched by the National Visa Center (NVC) on February 22, 2016. An overview of the EB5 program is available...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final STEM optional practical training (OPT) rule on March 11, 2016. In order to facilitate the transition to the new regulation, the DHS has added a STEM OPT hub to its Study in the States web portal. Transition Guidance...
