November 2023 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times
As of November 30, 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) was conducting analyst review for PERM applications filed in December 2022 or earlier, and processing audited cases with priority dates of August 2022 or earlier. DOL is working on standard…
October 2023 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times
As of October 31, 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) was conducting analyst review for PERM applications filed in December 2022 or earlier, and processing audited cases with priority dates of July 2022 or earlier. DOL is working on standard…
Congress Passes Stopgap Spending Bill; Immigration Operations Funded Through February 2
Congress has passed a short-term spending bill that will fund some federal agencies - including immigration operations - through February 2, 2024, while other federal agencies will be funded through January 19, 2024. President Biden is expected to sign the…
December Visa Bulletin – Slight Movement for China EB-2 and EB-3, No Change in Remaining Employment-Based Categories; USCIS to Honor Dates for Filing in December
In December, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing listed in the State Department’s December 2023 Visa Bulletin. The Dates for Filing for all…
DOL to Seek Public Feedback on Streamlined Green Card Eligibility for STEM and Other Occupations
A U.S. Department of Labor proposal to solicit public input on possible expansion of the “Schedule A” list of occupations eligible for streamlined green card processing has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review. The proposal…
Holiday Travel Guidance for Foreign Nationals
If you are a foreign national planning to travel internationally this holiday season, make sure that you have all the necessary documents, including a passport with sufficient remaining validity, a valid U.S. visa in the appropriate classification, and advance permission…
Preparing for a Possible November 17 Federal Shutdown
If appropriations legislation or a stopgap spending bill is not passed by Congress by November 17, 2023, the federal government will enter a partial shutdown on November 18. A shutdown would mean that Department of Labor immigration functions such as…
Reminder – FY 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Ends November 7
Entrants have until Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website. Lottery applications must conform to the State Department’s strict requirements. A closer look Registration for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Diversity Visa (DV)…
New Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence Asks Federal Agencies for Initiatives to Attract and Retain Foreign AI Talent
President Biden has issued a wide-ranging Executive Order to establish guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI) security, innovation, and advancement – including several immigration provisions related to the attraction and retention of foreign talent in AI. The order directs the State…
Reminder – Starting November 1, New Edition of Form I-9 Becomes Mandatory
The new edition of Form I-9, dated August 1, 2023, will become mandatory for all employers on November 1, 2023. Through October 31, 2023, employers may continue to use the previous edition, dated October 21, 2019. The new form does…
USCIS Proposes Modernization of the H-1B Program
A new proposed rule seeks to enhance integrity and prevent misuse of the H-1B cap registration system, revise the definition of an H-1B specialty occupation, strengthen cap-gap protections for F-1 students awaiting a change of status to H-1B, and clarify…
Israeli Nationals Eligible for Visa Waiver Program Starting Today
Effective immediately, Israeli nationals are now eligible to apply for travel to the U.S. visa-free for business or pleasure under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The effective date for Israeli eligibility to travel under VWP has been moved up from…
Stateside Visa Renewal Pilot Moves Closer to Implementation
Details of the State Department’s long-awaited stateside visa renewal pilot are undergoing federal review, the next step toward executing the program. The pilot is expected to permit certain nonimmigrants with an expired or expiring visa to apply for renewal of…
September 2023 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times
As of September 30, 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) was conducting analyst review for PERM applications filed in September 2022 or earlier, and processing audited cases with priority dates of July 2022 or earlier. DOL is working on standard…
DHS Extends and Redesignates Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status; Extends Relaxed Employment Options for Cameroonian F-1 Students
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from December 8, 2023 through June 7, 2025. The registration period for new TPS applicants will run from October 10, 2023 to June 7,…
November Visa Bulletin – EB-2 Rest of World Moves Slightly Forward, No Change in Remaining Employment-Based Categories; USCIS to Honor Dates for Filing in November
In November, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing listed in the State Department’s November 2023 Visa Bulletin. The EB-2 Final Action Date for…
New Edition of Form I-9 Mandatory Starting November 1
The new edition of Form I-9, dated August 1, 2023, will become mandatory for all employers on November 1, 2023. Through October 31, 2023, employers may continue to use the previous edition, dated October 21, 2019. The new form does…
FY 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens Today
Entrants have until Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website. Lottery applications must conform to the State Department’s strict requirements. A closer look The State Department began accepting online registrations for the Fiscal…
DHS Extends and Redesignates Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from March 11, 2024 to September 10, 2025. DHS has also redesignated Venezuela for TPS from October 3, 2023 to April 2, 2025. The registration period…
H-1B Cap Petition Filing Period Closes October 31
Employers have just a few more weeks to file petitions for foreign nationals selected in the second FY 2024 H-1B cap lottery. USCIS must receive all cap petitions by October 31, 2023. The issue The second filing period for the Fiscal Year…
Federal Shutdown Averted for Now
President Biden has signed a short-term spending bill that will fund the federal government – including immigration operations – through November 17, 2023. The issue A continuing resolution passed by Congress and signed by President Biden late Saturday will fund…
FY 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens October 4
Entrants have from Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at noon EDT until Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official Diversity Visa lottery website. Lottery applications must conform to the State Department’s strict requirements.…
USCIS Increases Maximum Validity Period to Five Years for Several Categories of EADs, Including Adjustment of Status EADs
Effective immediately, USCIS is increasing the maximum validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) in several work authorization categories to five years, from a maximum of one or two years under its prior policy. The new five-year maximum validity will…
Israeli Nationals Eligible for Visa Waiver Program Starting November 30
Starting November 30, 2023, Israeli nationals will be able to apply for travel to the United States as B-1/B-2 visitors under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If deemed eligible, they will not need a visa from a U.S. consulate for…
Starting October 1, USCIS Eliminates Biometrics Fee and Routine Biometrics Collection for I-539 Applicants
Form I-539 applications to change or extend nonimmigrant status that are postmarked on or after October 1, 2023 will not require a biometrics fee and in most cases, will not be scheduled for a biometrics appointment. USCIS is following through…