17 Jun 2020

My mother is visiting me in the U.S., but her tourist visa expires next month. I want to apply for a 6-month extension for her. Can the USCIS grant an extension beyond the visa expiration date?

Answer The visa "stamp" in the passport is only an entry document - it is presented to customs at the airport to seek admission to the U.S. The end date on the stamp has nothing to do with one's authorization to remain in the USA. That...

09 Jun 2020

Is it true that President Trump is about to issue an executive order to stop all H1B filings?

Answer We have heard several rumors recently that the President will issue a proclamation as early as June 15th (or June 11th, according to other online sources) that would temporarily prevent foreign nationals from entering the U.S. in H1B, L-1, H2B, or J-1 status. According to...

09 Jun 2020

I am a green card holder, but have been staying in India since December 2019 to take care of my parents. I planned on coming back to the U.S. within six months, but the pandemic has forced me to stay in India longer. What should I do? Are there any special allowances being made because of COVID-19?

Answer There are many green card holders who have found themselves stuck outside the U.S. for a prolonged period of time. There are no special rules that have been created because of the pandemic, but the mere fact that you have been outside the country for...

28 May 2020

Are there any updates on President Trump issuing an executive order to restrict H1B workers? Will it impact my H1B cap case?

Answer Forbes reported today that the Trump Administration is expected to issue an executive order "soon" that would impact certain high-skilled nonimmigrant workers. The presumption is that, if such an order were to be issued, it would focus on foreign nationals requesting admission, as opposed to...

28 May 2020

I read that the USCIS is going to resume in-person biometrics appointments soon. Does that mean the consulates are also being opened for visa appointments?

Answer The consulates are run by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), not the USCIS. So, the USCIS announcement has no impact on the consulates.The U.S. consulates across the globe likely will not all open at the same time. Rather, the U.S. consulates in each country...

27 May 2020

NewsFlash! USCIS Plans to Resume In-Person Services on 04.Jun.2020

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) will resume on June 4, 2020. Per the announcement, the USCIS is following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control...