Premium Processing is an optional service offered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that allows certain immigration petitions to be adjudicated on an expedited timeline in exchange for an additional government filing fee. When Premium Processing is requested, USCIS guarantees action on the case by issuing an approval, denial, request for evidence (RFE), or...
USCIS Requests for Evidence (RFE responses)
Jan262026
The FY 2027 H-1B lottery is approaching fast. But what will this year’s lottery look like? Will there even be a lottery? To qualify for an H-1B, employers are required to submit an electronic registration on behalf of potential candidates. Each year there is a total of 85,000 visas available, 65,000 of which are reserved...
Our firm has recently seen a notable increase in Requests for Evidence (RFEs) in I-140 petitions where the beneficiary is being paid at or above the proffered wage, yet USCIS continues to question ability to pay based on negative net income reflected on the employer’s tax returns. While submission of tax returns is required under...
DHS Ends Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs): What This Means for Immigrants and Employers Introduction In a sweeping policy shift, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new rule ending the long-standing practice of automatically extending Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain renewal applicants. This change represents a significant departure from...
Oct272025
Avoid Rejections: USCIS Adopts Electronic-Only Fee Payments Effective October 28, 2025, USCIS will no longer accept paper checks or money orders for filing fees payments. This is due to Executive Order 14247, Modernizing Payments to and from America’s Bank Account. This order aims to move away from paper-based payments in favor of secure electronic methods...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a notice in the Federal Register implementing a new immigration-parole fee under the provisions of Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Below is a summary of the key facts, plus context and what this means for individuals who are paroled into the United States. What the fee...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has provided additional clarification on how the $100,000 H-1B payment under the recent Presidential Proclamation will be applied and processed. The measure, which takes effect September 21, 2025 (12:01 a.m. EDT), significantly changes the filing requirements for certain H-1B petitions. Who Is Subject to the $100,000 Fee The...
The current government shutdown has created significant uncertainty for employers and foreign workers navigating the H-1B process. While the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) remains operational, other key agencies involved in the process, particularly the Department of Labor (DOL), have been directly affected, making it challenging for employers to move forward with H-1B filings....