Starting on September 5, 2024, the U.S. Department of State will begin implementing two new visa classifications for noncitizens seeking to transit the United States to join a vessel engaged in foreign trade and undertaking lightering activities for a period not to exceed 180 days. Lightering is the ship-to-ship transfer of liquid cargo. The new[Read More]
News & Alerts
Visa Bulletin Alert: Employment-Based Visa Number Unavailability for FY2024
As of August 29, 2024, Department of State (DOS) has confirmed that all numbers in the EB-1, EB-3, EW (other workers), EB-4, and EB-5 (unreserved) preference categories for FY2024 have been utilized and no further immigrant visas or green cards will be issued for these categories for the remainder of this fiscal year, which ends on September 30,[Read More]
USCIS Publishes Filing Guide for Keeping Families Together
On Aug. 19, 2024 USCIS will begin accepting requests for, using a new electronic form, Form I-131F, Application for Parole in Place for Certain Noncitizen Spouses and Stepchildren of U.S. Citizens. Form I-131F will not be available on uscis.gov until Aug. 19. USCIS is not accepting any other form for Keeping Families Together. Do not file a request for[Read More]
H-1B visa and Immigration Process for Nurses in U.S.
These steps ( are a general overview for how a foreign educated nurse can work in the U.S., but some aspects of your journey may differ from this basic outline (Learn more about all the steps involved). Step 1. Meet the Basic Requirements As a foreign-educated nurse seeking to work in the United States, make[Read More]
USCIS will accept H-1B petitions on April 1, 2024 for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025
Adhikari Law PLLC, Washington, D.C. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) received enough electronic registrations for unique beneficiaries during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). USCIS has randomly selected enough properly submitted registrations for unique beneficiaries projected as[Read More]
USCIS will begin H-1B Electronic Registration in March 2024 for the 2024 lottery
Washington, D.C. USCIS will open 2024 H-1B electronic registration from March 6th through March 22nd, 2024 for the lottery under fiscal year 2025 H-1B Cap. The H-1B random selection process, if needed, will then be run on those electronic registrations and it will notify the employer or the attorney on selected entries on the first draw[Read More]
USCIS Increases Fees for Certain Immigration Petitions and Applications
Adhikari Law PLLC. Washington, DC. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. The new fees under the final rule will go into effect on April 1, 2024. USCIS plans to recover a greater share of its operating costs and support more timely processing of new[Read More]
President Biden’s Far-Reaching Artificial Intelligence Executive Order Includes Some Needed Immigration Initiatives
Washington, D.C. U.S. President Joe Biden signed an extensive executive order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on October 30, the first action taken on AI by the U.S. federal government. The executive order includes eight main parts and establishes “new safety assessments, equity and civil rights guidance,[Read More]
Certain Renewal Applicants for Employment Authorization to revert back to Automatic 180 Day Extension
Certain renewal applicants who have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, qualify for an automatic extension of their expiring employment authorization and/or employment authorization documents (EADs) while their renewal application is pending. Starting today, those who are eligible will receive 180-day extensions in accordance with existing regulations, including those who have applied for or[Read More]
USCIS Extends Parole by Two Years for Certain Afghan Nationals Under Age 14
USCIS announced today that we will consider two-year extensions of the initial parole period on a case-by-case basis for certain Afghan nationals who: Were paroled into the United States between July 30, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022, with an OAR or PAR class of admission; Were under 14 years old as of Sept. 26, 2023;[Read More]