Headlines: State Dept. Announces Oversubscription of September Employment-Based Second and Third Preference Categories – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for September 2018 announced oversubscription of employment-based visa numbers in several categories. USCIS Extends, Expands Suspension of Premium Processing for Certain H-1B Petitions; Increases Premium Processing Fee – USCIS announced that it is extending the […]
Feature Article VISA WAIVER PROGRAMS: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of visa waiver programs in several countries. Country Updates AUSTRALIA – Australia has implemented the Temporary Skills Shortage visa and employer nomination sponsored visas. HONG KONG – This article provides an overview of the acquisition of Chinese nationality in the Hong Kong […]
Headlines: Controversial DHS Draft Rule Proposes Changes to Public Charge Definition – A controversial Department of Homeland Security (DHS) draft rule leaked to the media would make more immigrants inadmissible or deportable for receiving public benefits. EB-1 Green Cards Backlogged Worldwide – The worldwide backlog for EB-1 visas is expected to continue through at least […]
Headlines: State Dept. Announces Oversubscription of August Employment-Based Preference Categories, Limits on Special Immigrant Translator Visa Availability – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for the month of August 2018 includes announcements about employment visa availability. USCIS Postpones Implementation of Memorandum on Notices to Appear – USCIS announced that issuance of operational guidance is pending […]
Supreme Court Upholds Latest Trump Entry Ban – On June 26, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld 5-4 the Trump administration’s third travel ban order. The ban prevents the entry into the United States of certain nationals from specific countries, with some exceptions. USCIS Updates Notice to Appear Policy Guidance to ‘Support DHS Enforcement Priorities’ […]
USCIS Recalls 800 Incorrectly Printed Employment Authorization Documents – USCIS said the cards contain a production error that transposed the first and last names of the individuals receiving the EADs. ICE/SEVP Warns Students About Volunteer Positions – SEVP warned that reporting non-qualifying volunteer opportunities as OPT employment will be deemed a violation of reporting requirements […]
Lottery Has Begun for Increased H-2B Petitions – USCIS began accepting H-2B petitions under the temporary final rule increasing the numerical limit, or cap, on H-2B nonimmigrant visas by up to 15,000 additional visas through the end of FY 2018. Labor Dept. Adds Time Received to Receipt Date for Review of H-2B Temporary Labor Certification […]
Headlines: Attorney General Orders ‘Zero Tolerance’ Policy for Improper Entries at Southwest Border; President Issues Memo on ‘Catch and Release‘ – Attorney General Jeff Sessions directed federal prosecutors along the southwest border of the United States to adopt immediately a “zero-tolerance policy.” Later the same day, President Donald Trump issued a memorandum on “catch and […]
Headlines: USCIS To Begin Accepting FY 2019 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions April 2, Suspends Premium Processing – Starting April 2, 2018, USCIS will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the FY 2019 cap. USCIS said it will temporarily suspend premium processing for all FY 2019 cap-subject petitions, including petitions seeking an exemption for individuals with a […]
On April 2, employers can start filing H-1B temporary visa petitions for foreign professionals for work starting October 1, 2018. The law limits new H-1B visa numbers to 85,000 a year. Because many more employers than that are likely to file petitions, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will receive applications for one week and […]
