The Department of Homeland Security today announced the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 35,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year 2022. These additional visas will be set aside for U.S. employers seeking to employ additional workers on or after April 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, …
Category: Employment Visas
USCIS Alert: FY 2023 H-1B Cap Season Updates
H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2023 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). We randomly selected from among the registrations properly submitted to reach the cap. We …
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2022 H-1B Registration Process Ends March 18 – What You Should Do to Register Now
The H-1B visa program allows US companies to become employers for foreign employees that are taking on occupations that are specialized. These specialty occupations require the specialized knowledge of the candidate and are seen in positions such as economist, scientist or engineer. There is a very limited number of visas available for new H-1B workers …
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Designation of Sudan and Extension and Redesignation of South Sudan for TPS
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a new 18-month designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) that will become effective upon publication of an upcoming Federal Register Notice (FRN). DHS also announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan for TPS for 18 months, effective May 3, 2022, through November 3, 2023. An FRN providing further …
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H-2B Cap Reached for Second Half of FY 2022
From USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. Feb. 25, 2022, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date on or after April 1, 2022, and before Oct. 1, 2022. …
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USCIS Updates Guidelines on Maximum Validity Periods for New Employment Authorization Documents for Certain Applicants
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published updated policy guidance to change the maximum validity period that may be granted for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to certain applicants, as well as to provide general guidance on adjudicating Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.Starting today, USCIS will generally grant new and renewed EADs that are …
FY 2023 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 1
From the USCIS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2023 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 18, 2022. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to complete and submit their registrations …
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USCIS Alert: New Procedure for Transfer of Underlying Basis in Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications
An applicant for adjustment of status (green card) may have more than one qualifying petition that is the basis for the adjustment of status application (Form I-485). For example, an applicant could have filed an I-485 application based upon an I-140 in the EB-2 category and then obtained an approved I-140 in the EB-1 category. …
Preparing Now for the FY2022-2023 H-1B Cap Registration Lottery
H-1B visas authorize highly educated non-citizen professionals to work for U.S. employers in specialty occupations. Current law limits the number of new H-1B visas issued each fiscal year. The H-1B quota for this fiscal year is 65,000 for those who hold at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. In addition, 20,000 H-1B visas are …
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USCIS announces that H-4 EAD workers can now work while waiting for EAD Renewal and an EAD is no longer required for E-2 and L-2 Spouses to Work
In settlement of several lawsuits, the USCIS recently announced significant changes to its policy regarding employment authorization documents (EAD) for certain H-4, E-2, and L-2 dependent spouses. The following policy guidance is effective as of November 12, 2021: The automatic extension rule will apply to renewals of H-4, E-2, and L-2 EAD if (1) the …
Ann Massey Badmus 