The blanket L process can be a useful way for qualifying employers to sponsor intracompany transferees for work in the U.S. However, despite its utility, inconsistencies abound in the length of stay granted to blanket L beneficiaries at U.S. ports of entry. ‘ Specifically, inconsistencies can arise when the initial validity period of a blanket[Read More]
News and Alerts
USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for FY 2018
USCIS announced on April 7, 2017, that it has received enough H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 visas for fiscal year (FY) 2018. USCIS also received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to meet the U.S. advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap. USCIS received 199,000 H-1B petitions during the[Read More]
USCIS Will Issue Redesigned Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents
USCIS Release Date: April 19, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a redesign to the Permanent Resident Card (also known as a Green Card) and the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) as part of the Next Generation Secure Identification Document Project. USCIS will begin issuing the new cards on May 1, 2017.[Read More]
USCIS Will Accept Only New Forms Starting Feb. 21, 2017
Important reminder: Please check USCIS website for their current filing fees and acceptable versions of forms. USCIS: On Dec. 23, 2016, our new fees took effect and we published updated versions of our forms. We strongly encourage customers to go to uscis.gov/forms to download and submit these new versions, which are updated with the new fees[Read More]
Startup Visa (Final Rule on International Entrepreneur)
This final rule for Startup Visa / parole is part of Executive Action President Obama had announced in November 2014. USCIS, an agency under Department of Homeland Security, had announced that it is proposing a rule to encourage entrepreneurs throughout the world to develop their innovative ideas and create jobs in the U.S. This rule would[Read More]
USCIS Publishes Final Rule For Certain Employment-Based Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Programs
November 18, 2016, USCIS has published final rule to modernize and improve several aspects of certain employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa programs. USCIS has also amended regulations to better enable U.S. employers to hire and retain certain foreign workers who are beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions and are waiting to become lawful permanent residents. This rule[Read More]
Grounds of Inadmissibility which can keep one away from U.S. and grounds of deportability which can make one removal from U.S.
What is Inadmissibility? Individuals who are inadmissible are not permitted by law to enter or remain in the United States. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets forth grounds for inadmissibility. The general categories of inadmissibility include health, criminal activity, national security, public charge, fraud and misrepresentation, unlawful presence in the United States, and several[Read More]
Maintaining Legal Permanent Residence of the United States
Being a legal permanent resident of the United States (“LPR” or “Green card holder”) means that you have new rights and responsibilities. As a permanent resident, you have the right to: Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law. Work in the[Read More]
USCIS Internally Transfers Casework from Vermont Service Center to California Service Center and Nebraska Service Center
USCIS recently began transferring certain casework from the Vermont Service Center (VSC) to the California Service Center (CSC) and Nebraska Service Center (NSC) to balance workloads. The CSC will now process Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. How You Will Be Affected If We Transfer Your Case If USCIS transferred your case, USCIS will send[Read More]
USCIS offers immigration relief measures for those affected by severe weather
USCIS offers immigration relief measures that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances, such as the recent severe weather and flooding in areas of the Southern and Midwestern United States. The following measures may be available upon request: Change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even if the[Read More]