Client Advisory: Update to Form I-9 Employment Verification Flexibility

During the global pandemic, the Department of Homeland Security provided more flexible measures for employers in the I-9 employment verification process. In particular, the most flexible of these steps was to allow employers to verify documents used to complete the I-9 virtually, i.e., without physically inspecting the actual document. The USCIS announced that, as of… [Read More]

FordMurray Releases Updated Higher Education Employer’s Guide for 2023

FordMurray has recently updated their comprehensive Immigration Guide for Institutions of Higher Education for 2023. This guide can help assist higher education institutions in navigating the process of hiring foreign faculty and staff. This updated 56-page Guide, a companion resource to our SEVP Certification and Compliance Guide, presents a holistic overview of visa and green… [Read More]

Client Advisory: USCIS Proposes Fee Increase Under New Rule

The Biden Administration has proposed raising application fees for employment-based visas and other immigration programs. As a result of the proposed rule, employers would be required to pay significantly higher fees for petitioning for and sponsoring workers for permanent residence. The new fee schedule proposes a significant increase in fees for using the electronic registration… [Read More]

Client Advisory: October Visa Bulletin Announces Considerable Retrogression for EB-2 India

The State Department released its October Visa Bulletin revealing a significant retrogression in certain employment-based immigrant visa (green card) categories. The EB-2 Category for India was the most impacted. On September 6th 2022, USCIS reported that the visa cap had been reached for EB-1 and EB-2 visas for applicants in countries of chargeability. With the release of… [Read More]

Client Advisory: USCIS Updates Form I-693: Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record

USCIS recently announced updates made to form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Beginning October 5, 2022 USCIS will only accept Form I-693 edition 7/19/2022.  The last day USCIS will accept the earlier edition of Form I-693 will be October 4, 2022. This date is based on when the Civil Surgeon signs the… [Read More]

Client Advisory: USCIS Announces Phase Two of Premium Processing Upgrade Expansion

On July 15th, 2022, USCIS announced that they will begin implementing phase two of the premium processing upgrade expansion plan for certain pending EB-1 and EB-2 I-140 Petitions. Beginning August 1st, 2022, USCIS will accept premium processing upgrades for the following categories: E21 National Interest Waiver Petitions received on or before July 1st, 2021 E13 Multinational… [Read More]

Client Advisory: Premium Processing Upgrades Expanded for Certain Pending EB-1 and EB-2 I-140 Petitions

On May 24th, 2022, USCIS announced that they have further expanded premium processing for certain pending EB-1 and EB-2 I-140 petitions. The included categories and implementation dates are as follows: June 1st, 2022 E13 Multinational Executive and Manager Petitions received before January 1, 2021 July 1st, 2022 E21 National Interest Waiver Petitions received on or… [Read More]

Client Advisory: USCIS Announces Temporary Final Rule Extending the Automatic Extension Period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for Certain Applicants

On May 4th, 2022, USCIS announced a new rule from DHS temporarily increasing the automatic extension period for EAD eligible renewal applicants. The automatic extension period begins the date of expiration on the EAD (Employment Authorization Document) for a new total of 540 days.  The previous rule provided 180 days from the expiration of EAD;… [Read More]

Client Advisory: Possible Future Availability of Expedited Premium Processing for Certain Applications

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that they have issued a final rule to expand premium processing for the following forms: I-140, I-539, I-765. While premium processing does exist for some of these categories now, this new rule will include additional case types and categories. What Does This Mean? Nothing, yet…. [Read More]