Processing times for employment authorization documents (EAD) can exceed 8 to 12 months, even for renewals. On December 28, 2021, the USCIS announced that certain healthcare workers who have a pending EAD renewal application (Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization) are eligible for expedited processing. To qualify for expedited processing,the applicant must be an essential …
Continue reading USCIS Announces New Expedited Processing Policy For Healthcare Worker EAD Renewals
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily waiving the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant files an application for the underlying immigration benefit (including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), until Sept. 30, 2022.This …
Continue reading USCIS Temporarily Waiving 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures
Most doctors get a green card through an employer’s sponsorship of the labor certification process. Depending upon your country of birth, it can take anywhere from two to 10+ years to get a green card this way. And if you don’t have an employer willing to sponsor, then labor certification is not an option at …
Continue reading 5 STEPS FOREIGN-BORN DOCTORS NEED TO TAKE FOR EB-1 GREEN CARD VICTORY
Starting October 1st, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all green card applicants and refugees. Vaccination requirements for immigration are not new. In fact, proof of many other vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are required when applying for a green card. Procedurally, an …
The Department of Justice announced today that it reached a settlement with Ascension Health Alliance (Ascension), a Missouri-based health care organization with more than 2,600 sites – including 146 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The settlement resolves the department’s claims that Ascension violated the Immigration …
The most recent executive order which attempts to reduce immigration to the U.S. was issued late this afternoon, June 22, 2020. With some exemptions, it suspends the “entry into the United States of any alien seeking entry pursuant to” an H-1B, H-2B, and L-1 visa. J-1 visas for interns, trainees, teachers, camp counselors , au pairs, or summer …
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recently expanded its J-1 waiver program. Now private employers can request a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement for qualified J-1 physicians from the DHHS clinical care waiver program. The DHHS accepts requests from employers in all 50 states. Unlike the Conrad 30 state waiver …
Wondering the impact of #COVID19 on immigrants and our immigration process? Join us for a free webinar, "Legal Update: COVID-19 Impact on Immigration," for the information you need to know about legal immigration consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and government response. Here is What You'll Learn Immigrant eligibility for unemployment, healthcare, and other benefits. …
Continue reading Legal Update Webinar: COVID-19 Impact on Immigration
If you or your employee are seeking to remain or come to the United States either temporarily or permanently, the new public charge rule will apply to you if you sent an application on or after February 24, 2020. That means you will need to provide additional information and documents to USCIS as part of …
Continue reading The New Public Charge Rule: What Every Visa Applicant Must Know
The USCIS' crisis level application delays and backlogs are unacceptable. In fact, the overall average case processing time has risen 101% in the past five years! Congress has taken notice. On February 26, 2020, Representatives Tony Cardenas and Steve Stivers introduced the Case Backlog and Transparency Act of 2020 in the House. Watch this American …
Continue reading Congress Introduces a Bipartisan Bill To Address USCIS Case Backlog Crisis
Ann Massey Badmus 