In April 2023, the long-anticipated new and modernized PERM Form 9089 was introduced to the public by the U.S. Department of Labor, Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) unit. The PERM process permits an employer to hire a foreign worker to work permanently in the United States. The FLC unit held
Articles Discussing General Topics In Employing Immigrants.
Filers Must Use New PERM Labor Certification Form ETA-9089, New FLAG Platform Starting June 1, 2023
Beginning on June 1, 2023, filers submitting PERM Applications for Permanent Employment Certification must submit the revised ETA-9089 in the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has announced.
A U.S. employer hiring a foreign worker and petitioning
OFLC Postpones Date for Submitting Revised PERM and CW-1 Forms in FLAG System to June 1, 2023
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification has postponed the date for submission of permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and CW-1 applications for temporary employment certification in the Foreign Labor Application Gateway system from May 16, 2023, to June 1, 2023.
OFLC Issues Guidance on PERM Application Denials Based on How Employers Completed Section H.10-B of Form ETA-9089
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification recently issued guidance regarding the trend of permanent labor certification application denials based on how employers completed section H.10-B, “Acceptable Alternate Occupation Job Title,” of Form ETA-9089, Application for Permanent Employment Certification.
Modernizing PERM Labor Certification—DOL Releases New Form ETA-9089
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification has announced plans to revise the permanent labor certification (PERM) process in an effort to streamline the program, improve the employer experience, and speed up the processing of labor certification applications.
Streamlined Arrival Process for International Travelers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has officially implemented its “Simplified Arrival” program that was piloted in various cities from 2021 to 2022 to streamline the arrival process for international travelers at all 238 arriving airports, 34 seaports, and all southern pedestrian and most northern secondary land ports. Under
Keys Features of USCIS Mobile Biometrics Services
As a part of various USCIS immigration applications, the U.S. government requires the applicants’ biometrics to be collected in order to conduct relevant background checks and services prior to granting the requested immigration benefits. In the past, mobile biometrics services (e.g., photographs and fingerprinting) may be provided by USCIS at
FY 2024 H-1B Registration Period Indicates 780,884 Registrations; USCIS Investigates Possible Abuse of Lottery System
On March 27, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the agency had received enough electronic registrations to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2024 annual limit. The current year saw 780,884 registrations, up 61 percent from 483,927 last year, which was a 57 percent jump from the previous
Elimination of Paper Documentation in Streamlined Entry Process Raises Issues for Foreign Nationals
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been implementing “Simplified Arrival” at all airports, seaports, and most ports of entry since early 2022. The purpose is to secure and streamline the entry process. But the elimination of paper documentation is raising issues for foreign nationals.
One outcome of Simplified Arrival implementation
USCIS: No Supporting Docs Needed to Update Gender on Immigration Forms
USCIS announced that it is no longer necessary to provide supporting documentation to change or update a prior gender selection on immigration forms. The intention is to “reduce barriers to travel, employment, services, and benefits by eliminating delays and preventing discrimination and harassment due to inconsistent identity documents.”
USCIS
State Department Issues Final Rule to Raise Consular Services Fees on May 30, 2023
On March 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of State published final adjustments to the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services for several nonimmigrant visa application processing fees and the fee for border crossing cards for Mexican citizens (ages fifteen and older).
Full Enforcement of REAL ID Law Moved to 2025, ETIAS Moved to 2024
New travel authorization systems are being postponed again in the United States and in Europe: REAL ID until May 7, 2025, and ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) until 2024.
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the deadline for REAL ID
USCIS Completes Initial FY2024 H-1B Selection Process
On March 27, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it completed the initial H-1B electronic registration selection process for fiscal year (FY) 2024.
USCIS Issues Guidance on Employers’ Ability to Pay Proffered Wage to Support Employment-Based Immigrant Petitions
On March 15, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued policy guidance clarifying how the agency analyzes an employer’s ability to pay the proffered wage to support immigrant petitions in the employment-based first, second, and third preference categories.
Lawful Permanent Residents May Use Newly Available Mail Option for Temporary Evidence of Status
Lawful permanent residents may receive temporary evidence of their lawful permanent resident (LPR) status by mail, rather than physically visiting a field office, USCIS has announced.
LPRs eligible for delivery of temporary evidence of status will be mailed a Form I-94 with ADIT stamp, DHS seal, and a printed
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