Over the weekend, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began sending out non-selection notices for registrations not selected in the first – and apparently only – lottery for fiscal year 2023 (FY2023). As of the time of this writing, the USCIS has not officially...
Answer Yes, a person in L2S status has unrestricted work authorization. This allows the individual to work for multiple employers, be self-employed, etc. (18.Aug.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more...
Answer As a general rule, a consular officer will not automatically cancel a B-1/B-2 visa based on the fact that the individual has been issued an H1B visa. (18.Aug.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently updated its policy manual to provide additional guidance on evidence that can be used in support of O1A petitions. The O1A nonimmigrant visa category is reserved for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education,...
Generally, a foreign national is limited to a maximum duration of stay of six years in H1B status. The law, however, provides a few exemptions to this limitation. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may qualify to extend status in one- or three-year increments beyond...
Answer There does not seem to be much benefit to having an EAD based on one's L2S status. When the policy was announced, granting work authorization to L-2 dependent spouses incident to their status, the EAD was useful while waiting to obtain an I-94 updated with...
In 2004, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed the continued validity of an approved change-of-status petition with a future start date, when a person travels abroad after such approval but reenters the United States before the future start date is reached. This clarification...
Answer There is guidance indicating that you should be able to travel while an amendment is pending if you have a valid H1B visa in your passport and the receipt notice for the amendment. However, we cannot entirely rule out the possibility that a CBP officer...
Answer If you earn a U.S. master's degree from a qualifying university, you normally would qualify for the master's cap. There is no requirement that a person be in F-1 status while attending the school in order to qualify for the master's cap. (03.Aug.2022)Sheela Murthy and...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced two accommodations being made related to the COVID-19 pandemic. First, the USCIS again has extended the response time flexibility, initially announced on March 20, 2020. Second, the USCIS has made permanent the policy that allows all...
