Immigration Update – February 22, 2022

Headlines: USCIS Urges Eligible Applicants to Switch Employment-Based Categories – USCIS) is encouraging eligible applicants to consider requesting to transfer the underlying basis of their adjustment of status applications to the first (priority workers) or second (noncitizens in professions with advanced degrees or with exceptional ability) employment-based preference categories. Visa Bulletin for March Includes Updates […]

Immigration Update – February 14, 2022

Headlines: United States Once Again ‘Welcomes’ Immigrants: USCIS Announces New Mission Statement – The new mission statement, with its emphasis on welcoming and respect, reflects USCIS’s restoring of the agency’s focus on services. USCIS Updates Guidance, Changes Maximum Validity Period for EADs for Certain Applicants – USCIS said that increasing the maximum validity period for […]

Global Immigration Update – February 07, 2022

  Feature Article ATTRACTING HIGHLY SKILLED TALENT: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of programs to attract highly skilled talent in Italy and Turkey. Country Updates Italy – Applications for startup visas can be filed January 27 to March 17, 2022. Also, Italy announced the number of foreign workers allowed in Italy for […]

Immigration Update – February 07, 2022

Headlines: International Entrepreneur Update: National Advocacy Groups Recommend Streamlining Parole Program; House Passes Bill To Create New Visa – There have been several recent developments of interest to international entrepreneurs. USCIS Releases Form I-9 Guidance for H-2B Workers Seeking to Change Employers – The guidance is related to a joint temporary final rule issued January […]

Immigration Update – January 31, 2022

Headlines: FY 2023 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens March 1 – The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2023 H-1B cap will open at noon ET on March 1, 2022, and run through noon ET on March 18, 2022. DHS, DOL Announce Availability of Additional H-2B Visas for First Half of Fiscal Year […]

Immigration Update – January 25, 2022

Headlines: Biden Administration Implements New Actions to Increase Opportunities for STEM Students, Professionals, Others – Highlights of the new actions announced by the Departments of Homeland Security and State are summarized. USCIS Notes ‘Exceptionally High Number’ of Employment-Based Green Cards Available This Fiscal Year – USCIS said many more visas are available in the first […]

Immigration Update – January 18, 2022

Headlines: USCIS Clarifies Guidance on O-1 Nonimmigrants in Arts vs. Motion Pictures and Television – USCIS clarified guidance on how the agency determines whether an O-1B beneficiary will be evaluated as a person of extraordinary ability in the arts or as a person of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry when a […]

Immigration Update – January 10, 2022

Headlines: DHS OIG Finds That Manual Processing Slowed USCIS Benefits Delivery During Pandemic – In a new report, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General found that continued reliance on manual processing slowed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ benefits delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. USCIS concurred with OIG’s recommendations. OFLC Completes Random Assignments […]

Immigration Update – January 03, 2022

Headlines: USCIS Extends Flexibilities for Responding to Certain Agency Requests – The flexibilities apply if the issuance date listed on the request, notice, or decision is between March 1, 2020, and March 26, 2022, inclusive. USCIS said it will consider a response to such requests and notices received within 60 calendar days after the response […]