Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for the First Half of FY 2023

The cap for additional 18,216 H-2B visas, created in December of 2022 by DHS and DOL for the first half of FY 2023, has been reached. Petitions are still being accepted under the additional 20,000 visas allocated for nationals of El Salvador, Guatema… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog

Settlement agreement reached with the government in a lawsuit filed on behalf of spouses of H-1B and L-1 visa holders

USCIS has settled a lawsuit that will benefit spouses of H-1B and L-1 visa holders. The settlement will allow for processing of a spouse’s I-539 application (and I-765 work application) to be concurrent with the adjudication of the underlying princ… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog

FY 2024 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 1

USCIS has announced that the initial registration period for the FY 2024 H-1B cap will open at noon on March 1, 2023 and run through noon on March 17, 2023. During this period, U.S. employers can submit electronic registrations for their prospective… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog

USCIS Redesigns Green Card and Employment Authorization Document

USCIS announced a redesign of the Green Cards and EADs, which will go into effect on January 30, 2023, in hopes to improve security and prevent “tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud” of the issued documents. “Changes include improved detailed a… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog

USCIS Extends Green Card Validity for Conditional Permanent Residents with a Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829

USCIS has extended the validity of Green Cards for conditional permanent residents with a pending Form I-751 (Application to Remove Conditions on Residence) and Form I-829 (Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Residence Status). The… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog

H-1B Lottery Registration for FY 2024 Begins Soon

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to soon announce the registration window for the (FY) 2024 H-1B cap season. The registration period is expected to take place in March. As before, if more applicants register than there ar… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog

Final Phase of Premium Processing Expansion for EB-1 and EB-2 Form I-140 Announced

USCIS announced the final phase of expansion for premium processing of EB-1 and EB-2 Form I-140 petitions. The expansion will allow more beneficiaries of these petitions to request premium processing by filing of Form I-907, Request for Premium Proce… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog

DHS Implements New Processes for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans and Eliminates Cap for Venezuelans

As of January 6, 2023, Department of Homeland Security has implemented a new, free of charge, entry process for Cuban, Haitian, and Nicaraguan nationals to enter the US legally and remain here for a period of up to two years. This process will also a… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog

USCIS Will Be Testing an Updated Version of the Naturalization Exam

On December 14, 2022, USCIS announced that it will be testing an upgrade to the naturalization exam. Currently, the test consists of “reading, writing, civics, and ability to speak English.” USCIS will be testing two updated components of the exa… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog

USCIS Issued a Proposal to Adjust Specific Immigration and Naturalization Fees

To recover revenue loss sustained during the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to increase certain fees, including naturalization fees for some applicants. “{E}xisting fee waiver for low-income and vulnerable… Read More
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Categories: Immigration Blog