The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a prediction, based on external feedback, that the fiscal year (FY) 2014 cap limit may be exceeded during the minimum required, five-business-day filing period of April 1-5, 2013. We at the Murthy Law Firm, therefore, once...
The USCIS anticipates that the H1B annual limit, or "cap," for fiscal year 2014 (FY14) could be met by April 5, 2013. This expectation applies to both the regular cap of 65,000 as well as the additional 20,000 cap exemptions under the advanced-degree cap. As...
The U.S. government budget cuts, known as sequestration, have dominated news reports in recent weeks. The cuts began on March 1, 2013, and many questions remain as to the impact on government operations and services. This summary of the available information from the U.S. Department...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plans to discontinue the availability of the Legacy INS online filing option for the application to extend / change nonimmigrant status (form I-539). This change will be effective as of February 28, 2013. Those who wish to file...
We at the Murthy Law Firm wish to remind readers that the H1B cap-filing season for fiscal year (FY) 2014 is drawing near. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting cap-subject H1B petitions on Monday, April 1, 2013. Employers and individuals who...
The new visa application system, introduced in India in September 2012, requires nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants to create a profile at www.ustraveldoc.com/in after completion of the DS-160 form, and to generate the payment code to remit the visa application fee. Next, they must schedule the...
The United States and Canada have entered into a new information-sharing agreement regarding immigration. This arrangement is intended to enhance security. On December 13, 2012, the U.S. Ambassador to Canada and the Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism signed a U.S.-Canada visa and immigration-sharing...
As we launch into New Year 2013, we at the Murthy Law Firm would like to remind our readers that now is a good time to double check important documents and dates related to one's immigration. This is the first in a series of articles...
This article addresses a concern that was raised in a recent MurthyChat session, regarding changes of employment for those working in H1B status in cap-exempt employment. Readers who wish to transition from H1B cap-exempt employment to cap-subject employment are advised that it is necessary to...
This continuation of the Murthy Law Firm's examination of some of the major immigration developments in 2012 also analyzes the meaning of these developments for 2013. The drastic fluctuation in the employment-based, second preference (EB2) Visa Bulletin cutoff dates for India and China and current...
