Reversion to 180 period of automatic employment authorization Beginning October 27, 2023, automatic extensions of employment authorization and EAD validity reverted to the original up to 180-day period for those eligible applicants who timely file Form I-765 renewal applications. This change is not retroactive; all previous up to 540-day automatic extensions will remain in place.... View Article
Great news for many H-1B visa holders! On October 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published a notice in the Federal Register entitled, “Pilot Program to Resume Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States for Certain Qualified Noncitizens”. The program would allow the DOS to issue a visa stamp on... View Article
Submit your on-line application today Better known as the Green Card Lottery or the Visa Lottery, the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program allows certain foreign nationals to register for a chance to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa. And registration is free. Historically, DV Lottery Program eligibility requirements have included: 1. **Nativity:** Eligibility is generally... View Article
On May 1, 2023, the White House announced that beginning May 12, 2023, foreign nationals entering the United States via airports would no longer be required to provide evidence of vaccination against COVID-19. Additionally, in a related move, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement similarly rescinding the vaccine requirement for certain foreign... View Article
What HR Professionals Need to Know With the recent announcement from the Biden administration that the COVID-19 national and public health emergencies will end this May, the temporary U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidance that permitted businesses operating remotely due to COVID-19 precautions to conduct remote Form I-9 document inspections will expire on July 31,... View Article
Extension runs through September 30, 2023 USCIS has extended the temporary suspension of the biometric fingerprint submission requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, or E nonimmigrant status. The previously announced suspension, which was initially in place... View Article
Explore new options for international investors USCIS has issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address the international entrepreneur parole. The guidance is effective immediately and applies prospectively to applications filed on or after 3/10/23. It is asking the public for comments by 4/10/23. History of International Entrepreneur Parole from the Memo In... View Article
New Online-Filing Procedures for Certain F-1 Students Seeking OPT or STEM OPT Extensions USCIS has announced the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and wish to... View Article
This update will allow some children who reach 21 years to still receive green cards with their parents. USCIS has issued guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to update when an immigrant visa number “becomes available” for the purpose of calculating a noncitizen’s age in certain situations under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA). For... View Article
Great news for Indian and other nationals stuck in the U.S. due to backlogs in consular visa processing The State Department will launch a pilot program later this year offering visa renewal options in the US for H-1B specialty occupation workers and other temporary visa holders who are currently required to travel abroad. Restoring stateside... View Article
