Question No. 1: May an employer file a second H-1B petition (same beneficiary, same offered position) in a subsequent fiscal year if the first petition from the prior year is still pending with USCIS? Most of these FY2019 cases will now be resolved through the use of the recently reinstated premium processing program,iv especially those petitions […]
Read more...16 February 2019
On October 16, 2018, USCIS announced that it was updating its policy guidance regarding the period of validity of a Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, to reflect longer processing times for adjustment of status applications. The updated policy is effective for all Form I-693s filed before November 1, 2018. The update provides that […]
Read more...15 February 2019
DOS posted the >>>Visa Bulletin for March 2019<<<. In addition to the final action dates and dates for filing applications, the bulletin also includes notes on the diversity visa and the scheduled expiration of two employment visa categories. Source: AILA Doc. No. 19021535.
Read more...12 February 2019
Effective immediately, USCIS will begin accepting copies of negative consultation letters directly from labor unions relating to a current or future P nonimmigrant visa petition. A consultation letter from a U.S. labor organization is generally required for petitions in the P visa classification, which covers athletes, artists, entertainers and their essential support personnel. Typically, a […]
Read more...8 February 2019
On 2/7/18, Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Ken Buck (R-CO) reintroduced the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019, which would among other things eliminate the per-country numerical limitation for employment-based immigrants and increase the per-country numerical limitation for family-sponsored immigrants. Source: AILA Doc. No. 19020735.
Read more...7 February 2019
Due to a significant decrease in workload, USCIS will permanently close its field office in Moscow, Russia, on March 29, 2019. The last day the office will be open to the public and accepting applications is Feb. 28, 2019. The USCIS field office in Athens, Greece, will assume jurisdiction over immigration matters in the Russian […]
Read more...5 February 2019
On January 31, 2019, DHS published a final rule in the Federal Register that amends the regulations governing petitions filed under the H-1B visa lottery. The final rule is effective April 1, 2019, though DHS will suspend the electronic registration requirement for this year’s H-1B cap. Details about the final regulation are outlined below under the January […]
Read more...31 January 2019
USCIS announced that applicants who have a pending affirmative asylum application with USCIS can now check the status of their applications online at uscis.gov/casestatus. It will not cover defensive asylum applicants whose cases are pending in immigration court. WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that applicants who have a pending affirmative asylum application […]
Read more...28 January 2019
USCIS announced it will resume premium processing on 1/28/19 for all FY2019 H-1B cap petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The temporary suspension of premium processing remains in effect for all other categories of H-1B petitions to which it applied. USCIS will resume premium processing on Monday, Jan. 28, for all fiscal […]
Read more...25 January 2019
By Geneva Sands and Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN The Trump administration will begin sending some asylum seekers at the southern border back to Mexico on Friday, according to a Department of Homeland Security official. Some individuals who arrive at the San Ysidro port of entry, south of San Diego, starting Friday will be given notices to appear in […]
Read more...24 January 2019
