31 Jan 2020

USCIS to Implement Public Charge Rule on 24.Feb.2020

On February 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will begin implementing the public charge rule that was published in the Federal Register in August 2019....

26 Dec 2019

My H-4 EAD extension is pending and will expire next week. I will lose my job if it is not renewed before then. Can I ask the USCIS to expedite my case?

Answer It certainly is possible to request the USCIS to expedite a pending H-4 EAD application, but the USCIS is very reluctant to expedite EAD applications. In fact, earlier this year, the USCIS updated the Adjudicator's Field Manual to state that "[t]he need to obtain employment...

20 Dec 2019

January 2020 Visa Bulletin: Updated Predictions

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the January 2020 Visa Bulletin. This month's visa bulletin also includes predictions for cutoff date movement in the coming months. All cutoff dates listed refer to the dates in the final action (FA) chart, unless otherwise specified. Employment-Based,...

19 Dec 2019

I am in H-4 status and am enrolled in university in New York. My husband just got a great job offer for an H1B position in Minnesota. Can I stay in New York to finish my studies, or does the H-4 spouse have to live in the same place as the H1B spouse?

Answer There is no requirement that an H-4 spouse live with the principal H1B spouse. As long as he maintains valid H1B status, you normally would remain eligible for H-4 status, even if you are not currently living in the same household. (18.Dec.2019)Sheela Murthy and other...