Washington, D.C. October 1, 2020 will mark the beginning of the federal fiscal year (FY) 2021, and with it, the infusion of a new allocation of immigrant visa (IV) numbers. This infusion typically results in some forward movement in Final Action Dates in the month of October, 2021…. (continues below). October 2020 Visa Bulletin Updates[Read More]
News & Insights
A win for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Winners and a loss for H, L, J visa applicants abroad: A federal Court in DC orders Trump Administration to process DV visa applications
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia orders the State Department to process all 2020 DV visa applications in a preliminary injunction order. The court orders that the State Department (U.S. Embassies and Consulates) may not interpret or apply the President’s Proclamations in any way that forecloses or prohibits embassy personnel, consular officers, or[Read More]
USCIS Selects Additional Registrations for the FY 2021 H-1B Cap
We received alerts from USCIS stating that “we have taken action on your case”. When we signed into USCIS account, we learned that there were some H-1B registrations which were selected in the lottery on August 14, 2020. This is a 2nd lottery draw by USCIS. See the sample notice as shown below. We received[Read More]
SEVP Online Course Guidance for new F-1 and M-1 Students for the Fall 2020
On July 24, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that nonimmigrant students and schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) should abide by SEVP guidance originally issued in March 2020, which allowed some distance learning in excess of regulatory limits due to the public health emergency[Read More]
One Month Extension of Immigrant Visa Medical Examinations
July 24, 2020. Immigrant visas are limited to the validity of the medical examination for a maximum of six months. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has approved a one-month extension for medical examinations conducted between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020. If you were unable to travel on your issued visa or obtained[Read More]
President Trump issued Executive Order suspending entry of foreign workers including high-skilled workers
President Trump has issued the Presidential Proclamations (PP. 10052) temporarily suspending the entry of nonimmigrant workers (H-1B, L-1, J-1, H-2B and their dependents) who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa. The suspension will last until December 31, 2020 and it may continue if the Administration finds it ‘necessary’. This Order also extended the April 22, 2020[Read More]
Rumors about further suspension of travels to the U.S. and cancellation of OPT/STEM
There have been false rumors that the Trump Administration is going to propose a restriction on F-1, H-1, L-1 and others to enter the U.S. and may terminate OPT/STEM programs. These are just baseless rumors. As a legal matter, the administration CANNOT suspend or cancel OPT/STEM without changing immigration regulations which can take about half[Read More]
Frequently Asked Questions for SEVP Stakeholders about COVID-19: Updated May 14, 2020
This document provides answers to frequently asked questions from Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) stakeholders about the impact of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID19) on SEVP-certified schools and F and M students. Note: SEVP continues to actively monitor COVID-19 and provide up-to-date information to stakeholders, including designated school officials (DSOs) and F and M students.[Read More]
Employment based Green Card
Green Card with or without a Job Offer: EB-1A: Extraordinary Ability (possible even without job offer)Individuals with Extraordinary Ability (self-petition, possible even without job offer) EB-2 NIW: Individuals who qualify for National Interest Waiver (NIW) exempting from job offer requirement and, thus, the labor certification (EB-2, NIW) Green Card with a Job Offer: EB-1C: Multinational Manager or Executive EB-1B (PERM[Read More]
Funding Alert for businesses and organizations affected by Covid-19
Adhikari Law PLLC has prepared a list of new funding opportunities (nationwide), existing funding which are closing soon, and various funding programs for businesses and nonprofits affected from business interruptions from Covid-19. Contact us at info@adhikarilaw.com or 202 600 7742, if you like to learn more about our services in providing assistance to apply on[Read More]