NewsFlash! EB3 India Advances, EB3 China Retrogresses in August Visa Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the "August 2015 Visa Bulletin" today. The employment-based, third preference (EB3) category for those born in India moves ahead faster than predicted,...
View ArticleImmigration Impact of Supreme Court’s Same-Sex Marriage Decision
On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that, pursuant to the individual liberties protected by the constitution of the United States, all U.S. states must permit same-sex marriages. Although...
View ArticlePremium Processing Service to Resume for H1B Extensions
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced this morning that acceptance of premium processing requests for H1B extension of status petitions would resume, effective today, July 13,...
View ArticleAugust 2015 Visa Bulletin: EB3 India Advances Four Months
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) August 2015 Visa Bulletin contains some unexpected changes in the employment-based, third preference (EB3) category. EB3 India advances by four months, while EB3...
View ArticleRevised I-693 Required for Medical Exams, Beginning July 26, 2015
Effective July 26, 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will only accept the latest version of the report of medical examination and vaccination record (I-693 form). This version...
View ArticleJuly 30th Deadline to Return Certain DACA EADs
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is demanding the return of employment authorization documents (EADs) issued to certain foreign nationals enrolled in the Deferred Action for...
View ArticleNewsFlash! USCIS Revises Deadline, Requirements for H1B Amendments Following...
This afternoon, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a policy memorandum that provides final guidance on when an amended petition is required following the relocation of an...
View ArticleCSPA Family Petitions Impacted by Supreme Court Decision
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum on June 25, 2015, rescinding a 2013 hold on cases that were dependent upon the outcome of a U.S. Supreme Court case...
View ArticleVisa Bulletin Analysis, Predictions, and Trends: Unexpected Movement for EB3
Each month, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) provides a report with insights into visa bulletin cutoff date movements. This month's report, which follows the release of the August 2015 Visa Bulletin,...
View ArticleMurthyAudio: Visa Applications – What You Need to Know
Murthy Law Firm attorneys discuss recent trends in visa applications, including fee increases and common issues that can result following a visa refusal or denial. They cover strategies for employers...
View ArticleWhite House Recommends Modernizing Immigration System
On July 15, 2015, the White House released a report outlining recommendations for changes to the U.S. immigration system, in order to "…bring the system into the 21st century." The report identifies...
View ArticleB-1 in Lieu of H1B – Will this Useful Category Survive?
The visa category known as B-1 in lieu of H1B is a lesser-known and frequently misunderstood option. This category is intended to permit foreign companies to send their employees to the United States...
View ArticleSTEM OPT Extension and Transition Plan
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final STEM optional practical training (OPT) rule on March 11, 2016. In order to facilitate the transition to the new regulation, the DHS...
View ArticleEB5 Applicants Have Access to Investor Assistance Desk
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has created an assistance desk for employment-based, fifth preference (EB5) investors. This effort to improve service for EB5 cases was launched by the National Visa...
View ArticleApril 2016 Visa Bulletin Official Insights and Predictions
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) provides visa bulletin clarifications on a monthly basis through Charles Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division. The information from Mr....
View ArticleExtended Travel by a Permanent Resident (2 of 2)
This is the second in our two-part NewsBrief on extended travel by U.S. permanent residents ("green card" holders). Here we provide additional information regarding when such travel is acceptable and...
View ArticleCross Chargeability in Green Card Cases
Many foreign nationals who are hoping to become lawful permanent residents (LPRs) face extended backlogs in visa number availability. Since visa number backlogs vary enormously by the country against...
View ArticlePERM Denials Due to System Glitch
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has issued an alert regarding an intermittent technical problem in the PERM labor certification (LC) system. This glitch causes information to...
View ArticleSEVP to Issue Student Noncompliance Notice: Form I-515A
Starting April 1, 2016, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will begin issuing 14-day termination notices to students who fail to submit requested additional documentation within the 30...
View ArticleNewsFlash! FY17 H1B Cap Season Kicks Off on April 1st
Beginning tomorrow, April 1, 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting cap-subject H1B petitions for fiscal year 2017 (FY17). The USCIS will continue to accept...
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