When filing for an adjustment of status (AOS), which enables individuals to apply for a Green Card while still present in the United States, applicants may simultaneously apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) and advance parole (AP), which allows individuals to travel back to the United States without
Articles Discussing Employment-Related Visas.
USCIS Updates Guidance on Employment Authorization for Certain E and L Nonimmigrant Spouses
On March 18, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would update the USCIS Policy Manual to address acceptable evidence of work authorization for E and L nonimmigrant spouses. The updates, provided in response to the settlement agreement reached in the class action Shergill v. Mayorkas, also
FY 2023 Cap H-1B Registration Process and New Attestation
As the cap H-1B registration process for fiscal year (FY) 2023 closes, and the lottery is about to begin, this might be a good time to look back at the results of the cap registrations from past fiscal years.
In FY 2020, 274,237 H-1B registrations were filed and 124,415 were
Visa Processing Options for Ukrainian Nationals
On March 2, 2022, the U.S. Department of State added Ukraine to the Homeless Nationalities list. The Department of State defines a homeless visa applicant as someone who is βa national of a country in which the United States has no consular representation or in which the political or security
Preparing H-2B Visas to Address Staffing Shortages
H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers present many challenges for employers seeking to bolster their workforce.Β
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program Returning
Congress is set to pass Omnibus spending legislation that includes reauthorization of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program, which has been suspended since June 2021.
The Regional Center Program allows eligible investors to apply for green cards if they make the necessary monetary investment and create or preserve at
O-1 and EB-1 Visa Adjudication Following USCIS Change
USCIS has increased the evidentiary burden for petitions for the O-1 Extraordinary Ability visa to mirror that for the EB-1 Extraordinary Ability visa.
Both the O-1 nonimmigrant and EB-1 immigrant visa classifications remain important and flexible methods of sponsoring outstanding talent in the United States. Unfortunately, USCIS backlogs and processing
USCIS Accepts First Time H-1B Applications on March 1, 2022
By: USCIS Accepts First Time H-1B Applications on March 1, 2022
US Citizenship & Immigration Service announced that it will accept initial applications for first time H-1B visa petitions from March 1, 2022 until March 18, 2022. An H-1B visa allows an employer to employ a foreign national in a
USCIS Gears up for the H-1B FY23 Cap Cycle
Executive Summary:Β USCIS has announced the timeline for the H-1B FY23 Cap Petition Cycle. The H-1B FY23 cap registration period will run from noon on March 1, 2022 until noon on March 18, 2022. USCIS will then conduct a lottery and notify selected registrants by March 31, 2022. Companies can file H-1B petitions for selected registrants from April 1, 2022 until at least June 30, 2022.
L-2 and E Dependent Spouses: CBP Begins Implementing New I-94 Designations
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued policy guidance addressing the automatic extension of status for H-4, L-2, and E dependent spouses in response to the settlement of a class action lawsuit.
H-1B Cap Quickly Approaching for FY 2023
While H-1B cap efforts remain underway for fiscal year (FY) 2022, employers may want to push forward now with preparations for FY 2023 H-1B cap season. (According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the petition filing period for registrations that were selected on November 19, 2021, is currently open
H-1B Fiscal Year 2023 Is Here
The H-1B program allows companies in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in occupations that require the The H-1B program allows companies in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in occupations that require the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and
State Department Temporarily Waives In-person Interview Requirement for Certain Visas
During the past two years of the pandemic, federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State have taken measures to accommodate their services and facilitate the issuance of visas in the consulates across the world in light of on-going safety concerns. The Department
L-2 EAD Renewals: Clarity For L-2 EADs After USCIS Settlement Agreement
On November 10, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reached a settlement in the class action Shergill v. Mayorkas. As part of the settlement, USCIS agreed to update its policy relating to H-4 and L-2 spousal Employment Authorization Document (EAD) applications, and the settlement terms for H-4 and L-2
USCIS Will Open Annual H-1B Lottery Registration March 1, 2022
On January 28, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the registration window for the fiscal year 2023 H-1B quota lottery will open March 1, 2022, at noon EST and will close March 18, 2022, at noon EST. During this period, employers (or their representatives) can electronically register each