Effective April 7, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an updated policy adopting a risk-based, data-driven approach when waiving interviews for conditional permanent residents (CPR) who have filed a petition to remove the conditions on their permanent resident status. BackgroundNew criteria will guide USCIS officers on when to waive interviews for CPRs who filed …
Tag: immigration
DHS to Supplement H-2B Cap with Additional Visas for Second Half of Fiscal Year 2022
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, …
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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USCIS Announces New Actions to Reduce Backlogs, Expand Premium Processing, and Provide Relief to Work Permit Holders
WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is announcing a trio of efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall legal immigration system. USCIS will set new agency-wide backlog reduction goals, expand premium processing to additional form types, and work to improve timely access to employment authorization documents. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic …
EB-1 Alert: USCIS Updates Criteria to Prove EB-1 Green Card Eligibility
Those applying for either EB-1A extraordinary ability or EB-1B outstanding researcher and professor green cards should note positive changes in the way USCIS evaluates two eligibility criteria. Recently, the USCIS updated its guidance to its EB-1A and EB-1B policy manual as follows: Published material about the person in professional or major trade publications or other …
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USCIS Urges Eligible Individuals to Consider Applying for Adjustment of Status in the EB-2 Category Based on the April Visa Bulletin Date for Filing for India
In the recently published April Visa Bulletin, the Department of State advanced the Date for Filing (also known as the application date) applications for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status in the employment-based, second preference (EB-2) category for India from Sept. 1, 2013, to Sept. 1, 2014. If you are a noncitizen who has an …
Secretary Mayorkas Designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, will be eligible for TPS. “This TPS designation will help to protect Afghan nationals who have already been living in …
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Department of State Update for Ukraine Nationals
The Department of State (DOS), which heads all U.S. embassies worldwide, recently shared the information below for Ukrainian national regarding various U.S. visa procedures: Nonimmigrant visa for temporary stays in the U.S. Other than sponsored work visas, most nonimmigrant visas require proof that an applicant will return to their home country. They are not “the …
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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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Secretary Mayorkas Designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. “Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “In these extraordinary times, we will continue to …
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Ann Massey Badmus 