In 2022, USCIS began the process of expanding Premium Processing for EB-1C and EB-2 Petitions. For more information on this, please see our previous article: USCIS Expands Premium Processing-for Certain EB-1C and EB-2 NIW Applications Now in 2023, USCIS is completing its Premium Processing expansion for the EB-1C and EB-2 classifications. Starting January 30, 2023, a...
Chris Prescott
On January 4, 2023, USCIS posted a notice of proposed rulemaking to adjust filing fees. Certain fees, particularly cases filed using form I-129 (H-1B, L-1A, L-1B, etc.) could potentially see significant hikes as well as EB-5. Here of a brief overview of some of the notable proposed fee increases: Immigration benefit Current fee Proposed fee...
USCIS has released a new version of Form I-485, which must be used from December 23, 2022. This form can be found at: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-485.pdf This form is intended for preview only and should not be submitted prior to December 23, 2022. This form becomes mandatory on the aforementioned date which means that the current version...
When USCIS announced that H-4 holders would qualify for an automatic extension of their EAD, this was praised as a move in the right direction. However, the caveat to this rule is that to qualify for an automatic extension an individual needs to have a valid I-94. The automatic extension was initially 180 days, but...
I came to the U.S. in 2007, over 15 years ago. I knew before I even came that I wanted to stay indefinitely. My wife was initially sponsored for a J-1 and then quickly switched to an O-1, with myself trailing in the shadows. My wife was and still is a talented fashion designer. She...
It’s all over the news. Massive layoffs at Twitter and Facebook. Other companies will no doubt follow the same suit. Cutting employment costs is the number one way that companies deal with reduced profits, diminished demand for products and services, especially during a recession. Unfortunately for foreign nationals being laid off is particularly problematic as...
On August 19, 2022, the Department of Labor stated it would no longer recognize the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This announcement affects English language study programs and F-1 students applying for STEM OPT extensions. SEVP will notify students if their school is affected by the above and strongly encourage...
This article provides an update on the number of employment-based green cards issued last year and available this year. USCIS confirmed that they were able to use all the employment-based visas in FY 2022, except for 6396 EB-5 visas that had carried over from the previous year. USCIS approved more than 220,000 employment-based adjustments of...