USCIS recently announced a new rule that extending the validity period for employment authorization for certain Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applications for up to 540 days. This increase will be effective from May 4, 2022. The effect of this rule is to help prevent gaps in employment for those non-citizens with pending EAD renewal […]
WASHINGTON— Earlier this month, USCIS announced that individuals who had previously received deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) can now electronically (online) file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. At this time, this option is available only for those individuals who were previously granted DACA. They must also file […]
USCIS announced a new policy that will affect conditional permanent residents (CPR). CPRs are noncitizens who are married to US citizens for less than two years and thus only have conditional permanent residency. Previously, all CPRs who petitioned to remove conditions on residence had to be interviewed if they obtained their conditional permanent residency through […]
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and policies of the prior US administration, case backlog and processing times at USCIS have increased significantly. In late March, USCIS announced several new initiatives to increase overall efficiency and reduce backlogs. Reduce backlogs USCIS is setting internal goals to reduce massive backlogs. To help achieve its goals by the […]
According to a recent notice from the USCIS, it has received sufficient electronic registrations to reach the H-1B cap (quota) for the Fiscal Year 2023. This cap includes both 65,000 regular H-1B visas plus an additional 20,000 visas available exclusively for advanced degree holders from US universities. Like most years, USCIS used a lottery system […]
March, 2023: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced significant revisions to two evidentiary criteria applicable to petitioners applying as: ● Exceptional talent in science, arts, education, business, or athletics; and ● Outstanding professor or researcher. Published materials: (This applies to both exceptional ability individuals and exceptional professors or researchers) Previously, a petitioner had […]