A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will often ask an H1B worker entering the United States whether the worker has ever paid their employer a portion of their salary. U.S. immigration law generally forbids an H1B worker from covering fees associated with the...
A May 2025 internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo revealed that the agency has authorized its officers, in certain situations, to forcibly enter private residences using administrative warrants, without obtaining warrants signed by judges. The policy represents a significant departure from longstanding federal law enforcement...
Answer The employer would not have to start paying the H1B salary until you are actually in H1B status. If you are selected in the lottery, 01.Oct.2026 will be the earliest requested start date. (21.Jan.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law....
In a significant development for international travel, a U.S. Department of State (DOS) memorandum has revealed a plan to indefinitely freeze visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, effective 21.Jan.2026. This move represents a major expansion of the current administration’s immigration and border policies.According to...
Answer Yes, a student may initiate a SEVIS transfer during the 60-day grace period following program completion. However, initiating the transfer during the grace period does not extend the five-month deadline. The new program still must begin within five months of the student’s last date of...
Answer Unfortunately, the rule allowing for the automatic extension of EADs based on a pending renewal was eliminated in October 2025. EAD renewal applications filed on or after 30.Oct.2025 normally are not granted automatic extensions. (13.Jan.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the...
On Monday, 12.Jan.2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to publish a final rule in the Federal Register that will increase the premium processing fees. This fee increase will go into effect on 01.Mar.2026.Per the final rule, premium processing fees that are currently...
Answer If a person travels while an application or petition requesting a change of status is pending, the change of status request normally will be deemed abandoned and therefore denied. Such a denial typically would not retroactively result in a violation of status. (30.Dec.2025)Sheela Murthy and...
Tips for the upcoming H1B cap season and latest trends from the USCIS, including the weighted selection process, are discussed by Murthy Law Firm attorneys in the podcast recorded 29.Dec.2025. This was prepared and dropped early, due to the important topics here for U.S. employers.The...
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a final rule changing how H1B cap registrations are selected when demand exceeds the annual numerical limits. Beginning with the FY2027 H1B registration season, USCIS will implement a weighted selection process that increases the likelihood of selection...
