U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has released guidance for foreign physicians who are subject to Conrad and HHS J-1 waiver provisions and their employers. This guidance provides protections for physicians who are not able to sustain full-time work schedules due to Covid-19 related interruptions and also confirms the ability of foreign physicians to undertake telemedicine… [Read More]
USCIS Announces COVID-19 Temporary Policy for List B Identity Documents
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a temporary policy for expired “List B” documents used for to complete Employment Eligibility Verification of Form I-9. Starting May 1, List B documents that expire on or after March 1, 2020, may be treated as if the employee presented a valid receipt for the document. USCIS has issued… [Read More]
Trump Narrows Immigration Ban to 60 Day Suspension of Green Card Issuance
UPDATE: President Trump signed an Executive Order that suspends issuance of new green cards. The Executive Order will not impact all green card petitions, including: Anyone physically present in the US on April 22, 2020. U.S. residents with pending I-485s will be not be affected. If an individual was travelling, anyone with an Advance Parole… [Read More]
USCIS Announces Delay in H-1B Cap Petition Processing
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a delay in data entry and receipt notices for FY2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions due to health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the memo, USCIS will not begin intake processing until at least May 1, 2020. This announcement impacts H-1B Cap cases selected in… [Read More]
COVID-19 Impacts to FY2021 H-1B Lottery
With online registration for H-1B petitions closing at noon EST on March 20, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is scheduled to begin the H-1B cap lottery for FY 2021 next week, with notifications to employers expected by March 31st. Suspension of Premium Processing USCIS announced today that it is temporarily suspending premium processing… [Read More]
Immigration Updates on COVID-19
As governments and health organizations worldwide respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. visa and green card holders and sponsors should closely monitor impacts on travel restrictions and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Embassy services. If you have specific questions, please reach out to us via email. We have experienced an influx… [Read More]
Public Charge Rule Change: What You Need to Know
Changes to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Public Charge Rule, scheduled to go into effect February 24th, will fundamentally change how officers will determine inadmissibility for adjustment of status applicants and those seeking an extension or change of their current nonimmigrant status. The Public Charge Rule will NOT apply to: Those seeking… [Read More]
Visa Applications to Include Social Media Information
The U.S. State Department added fields to all U.S. visa applications that will require applicants to disclose information regarding social media accounts used in the past five years, as well as telephone numbers, email address, international travel and deportation status. The new policy, effective May 31st, asks applicants to include their profile handles on popular… [Read More]
H-1B Season – After the Lottery
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced Friday that it has completed the selection process for 2020 H-1B cap petitions for the U.S. advanced degree and general lottery. At this point, USCIS is continuing to issue receipt notices for H-1B petitions and will begin returning unselected petitions. Notifications should continue through the end of… [Read More]
Trump Administration Removing the H-4 Limited Exception Work Authorization
Proposed regulation would rescind EAD for spouses of H-1B visa holders According to several reports, by March 18, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expected to publish a proposed regulation rescinding employment authorization documentation (EAD) for the H-4 spouse of H-1B visa holders. Currently, only those H-4 spouses with H-1B primary applicants having… [Read More]
