As we approach the start of the U.S. government's fiscal year 2011 (FY11), many MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers plan to transition from F-1, or other nonimmigrant statuses, to H1B status. October 1st is the start of a new fiscal year for the U.S. Citizenship and...
A suggestion recently came to the Murthy Law Firm from a reader who plans to visit Arizona in the near future. We were asked to provide hints and guidance for foreign nationals planning travel to Arizona, in light of the controversial new law there that...
Many applicants for nonimmigrant visas are required to use a new U.S. Department of State (DOS) application form. The nonimmigrant visa electronic application (Form DS-160) is being phased in for use at consulates worldwide. It is currently required for visa applications at the consulates in...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued updated plans to expand web-based nonimmigrant visa applications. The DS-160 is a fully web-based form that will replace the current DS-156, 157, and 158 forms. The DS-160 is scheduled for worldwide implementation by April 30, 2010. This...
The New York State Attorney General's Office announced the shutting down of three New York businesses that had been providing fraudulent immigration legal services. Details can be found in an August 20, 2009 press release. This is reported to MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers to raise...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) published a public notice in the Federal Register on December 19, 2008, announcing changes in the completion of the J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application Form (DS-3035). Beginning February 1, 2009, all applicants will be required to complete and submit...
Form I-765, which is used to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), has changed and the new form must be used as of May 27, 2008. This follows a change in the same form I-765 on April 8, 2008. Since many MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin...
Misprinted I-94 cards, used by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in early 2008, are causing problems with Social Security number issuance. According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), CBP received approximately one million I-94 arrival-departure cards that were missing the first digit. They utilized...
The Murthy Law Firm has received from the USCIS a response to a question that was previously unanswered.The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a regulation entitled Extending Period of Optional Practical Training by 17 Months for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM Degrees and...
