Wondering if your visa status is impacted by the June 22 Executive Order? We hope you find the following resource helpful. Read the Executive Order here. Contact us if you have any questions, we are happy to help.
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it will resume premium processing for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, in phases over the next month. Effective June 1, 2020, USCIS will accept Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for all eligible Form I-140 petitions…. [Read More]
USCIS Announces Delay in H-1B Cap Petitions 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]
2020 H-1B Alternatives
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) indicated it received approximately 275,000 registrations for the available 86,000 slots in the most recent H-1B registration/lottery. With the initial selection complete, employers not selected should consider these H-1B alternatives – a process that can be daunting any year, and especially now as COVID-19 closures impact USCIS… [Read More]
Impact of Work Closures and Temporary Shutdowns on H-1B Status
Please note, the COVID-19 situation is very fluid and the government agencies are issuing new and changing guidance on H-1B status and others on an almost daily basis. Before taking any actions, please consult with your counsel at FordMurray for the latest developments and updated guidance on this topic. With many local governments, state governments,… [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]
Understanding the H-1B Online Registration System
UPDATE 2/17/2021 United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) indicated it will open H-1B registration for FY2021 on March 9, 2021. The window will close March 25, 2021. During the registration period, petitioners can electronically file petitioner and beneficiary information through the electronic registration process. On February 5, USCIS shared the following guidance on this year’s… [Read More]
USCIS Announces Implementation of Electronic Filing for H-1B Petition for FY 2021 Cap
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the electronic registration process proposed in 2019 will be implemented for H-1B petitioners seeking to file cap-subject Petitions in 2020. The electronic registration requirement will fundamentally change how the H-1B lottery is administered and should reduce the burden of paperwork for employers and for USCIS. As a… [Read More]
FordMurray Releases Higher Education Employer’s Guide
FordMurray released a new guide to assist higher education institutions navigate the process of hiring foreign faculty and staff. The 25-page Guide, a companion resource to our SEVP Certification and Compliance Guide, presents a holistic overview of visa and green card options for colleges and universities. The Guide was produced for general counsel, human resource… [Read More]
Four Benefits to Hiring Foreign Faculty to U.S. Colleges and Universities
Colleges and universities are faced with the task of preparing undergraduate and graduate students for lives beyond their degree program – and hiring foreign faculty and having a dynamic team of faculty, scholars, researchers and professional staff provides essential scaffolding for that goal. Most higher education employers have one primary reason for hiring foreign-born professionals… [Read More]
