The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is again expanding its credit card payment pilot program, this time for certain petitions filed with the Vermont Service Center (VSC). Under this expanded program, if a petitioner files a petition for a nonimmigrant worker (form I-129) for...
Effective November 8, 2021, the Biden Administration is rescinding the COVID-19 related travel restrictions based on several presidential proclamations. In its place, President Biden has issued a proclamation that requires nearly all nonimmigrant international air travelers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before being admitted...
In August 2021, the Biden administration authorized deferred enforced departure (DED) for 18 months for eligible Hong Kong residents. The Administration has now published details on the implementation of employment authorization for individuals covered by the DED executive order.Effective 05.Aug.2021, eligible Hong Kong residents covered...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently held its monthly YouTube program with Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division. During the program, Mr. Oppenheim provided some updated predictions, and revealed that he soon will be retiring. So, this likely will be...
The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) has released a tip sheet to guide customers in communicating with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS has implemented a number of changes to reduce reliance on live assistance by telephone...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued instructions for entry into the fiscal year (FY) 2023 diversity visa (DV) lottery, more commonly known as the "green card" lottery. The FY23 diversity lottery will grant up to 55,000 immigrant visas to qualified applicants. Registration for...
The White House announced this morning that the COVID-19 related travel bans will be lifted on November 8, 2021. Once the ban is lifted, it will be replaced by a broad policy requiring both essential and non-essential travelers to provide proof of being fully vaccinated...
This morning, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the November 2021 Visa Bulletin. This month's visa bulletin includes some bad, but not unexpected, news regarding retrogression in the employment-based, third preference (EB3) category. Visa Bulletin Summary Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1) Category The EB1 category remains current for...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has provided answers to a number of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on its newly implemented bona fide determination process for pending U nonimmigrant applications. As reported in the MurthyDotCom NewsBrief, Employment Authorization Available for Pending U Visa Petitioners...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has a centralized traveler redress program intended to help individuals who have had problems during the travel screening process. The program, known as the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program, or “DHS TRIP,” provides a single point of contact...
