State Department Issues New Guidance on Visa Interview Locations

The State Department recently announced limitations on where Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants can schedule their visa interview. The Applicant’s country of residence or country of nationality will govern where the interview is scheduled, with limited exceptions. This reduces flexibility for Applicants, who may have previously been able to schedule an interview in a third… [Read More]

Protect Your Business: I-9 Compliance in a Strict Enforcement Era

The Trump Administration has made clear plans and definitive steps toward stronger immigration enforcement both within our borders and directly at our borders and embassies/consulates. This includes unprecedented agreement between DHS and the Internal Revenue Service to share information thereby allowing DHS to locate and prosecute individuals without proper legal status. Beyond these high-profile stories,… [Read More]

Client Advisory: Renewal of H-1B Visa Stamp within the U.S.

The Department of State announced that, beginning on January 29, 2024, and ending on April 1, 2024, certain H-1B applicants will be eligible to renew their H-1B visa stamp without having to travel internationally to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Eligible applicants will apply through an online portal found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visa/employment/domestic-renewal.html To be eligible for… [Read More]

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]

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]