The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently published a final rule in the Federal Register to raise fees charged by U.S. consulates for many categories of nonimmigrant visas. The cost for border crossing cards for citizens of Mexico is also going up. These fee increases...
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has agreed to review denials of ETA form 9089, application for permanent employment certification (PERM labor certification) based on question H.10-B, which asks employers to identify an acceptable alternate occupation in which applicants could gain prior qualifying experience. After...
This afternoon, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the May 2023 Visa Bulletin. 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 Preference (EB1) Category There is no movement in the EB1 category,...
On March 28, 2023, the U. S. District Court for the District of Columbia held that the program that allows certain H-4 spouses to apply for employment authorization documents (EADs) was lawfully promulgated. Save Jobs USA, an organization of U.S. workers had challenged the H-4...
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...
On March 15, 2023, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its ability-to-pay guidance, which can be found in Volume 6, Chapter 4 of the USCIS Policy Manual. The new guidance from the USCIS regarding the sponsoring employer's ability to pay applies only...
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...
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...
