September 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: USCIS Proposes Rule on Parole for Certain International Entrepreneurs– USCIS has published a proposed rule to allow certain international entrepreneurs to be considered for parole (temporary permission to be in the United States) so they may start or scale their businesses in the United States. ETA Announces iCERT Enhancement to Streamline H-2A, H-2B Processes […]
Mid-August 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: USCIS Announces End of H-1B Workload Transfer Transition Period – USCIS announced that the H-1B workload transfer transition period ends August 31, 2016. September Visa Bulletin Shows Movement in Final Action Dates – The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for the month of September 2016 shows much movement in the final action dates for […]
August 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: EB-4 Visa Limits Reached for Special Immigrants From India – Starting on August 1, 2016, applicants from India who filed Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant on or after January 1, 2010, will not be able to obtain an immigrant visa or adjust status until new visa numbers become available. Mayors […]
Mid-July 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: Various Categories Oversubscribed for August, State Dept. Reports – High demand in various employment-based visa categories has required the establishment of cut-off dates in August. USCIS Has Returned Unselected FY 2017 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions – Those who submitted an H-1B cap-subject petition between April 1 and April 7, 2016, and do not receive a […]
July 2016 Global Immigration Update
Feature Article REFUGEES AND RELATED BENEFITS: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of recent developments with respect to refugees and the benefits granted to them. Country Updates: BELGIUM – This article summarizes details on work permit exemptions, related to technical work, for foreign employees in Belgium. CANADA – Several developments have been announced. […]
July 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: Split Supreme Court Decision Blocks DAPA – In U.S. v. Texas, the Supreme Court let stand lower court rulings that block the Obama administration’s plan to allow approximately 4 million parents of U.S. citizen children to remain in the United States and obtain work authorization. USCIS Celebrates SAVE’s 30th Anniversary, Launches Redesigned Website – […]
Mid-June 2016 Immigration Update
HeadlInes: House Holds Hearing on H-2B Temporary Foreign Worker Program – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) noted, among other things, that according to USCIS statistics, as of June 2, 2016, the agency had already approved petitions for 12,727 returning H-2B workers, “with 1,171 potential additional returning workers in the pipeline.” State Dept. Releases DV-2017 Results – […]
June 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: USCIS, DOS Launch e-Approval for H-2A Petitions –USCIS and DOS announced the launch of e-Approval for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for the H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) classification. USCIS Will Now Use Pre-Paid Mailers To Send H-2A Receipt Notices – Coinciding with the launch of e-Approval, USCIS has begun using pre-paid mailers […]
Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners Ranked in 2016 Chambers & Partners USA Guide
Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners PLLC announces that it has been ranked in the Chambers and Partners USA Guide. Among New York firms in the Immigration field, the firm ranked in Band 2. The firm’s founder and managing partner, Cyrus D. Mehta, was for the second year in a row ranked among “Star Individuals” in […]
Mid-May 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: USCIS Proposes Fee Increases, New Fee for Annual Certification of EB-5 Regional Centers – Among other things, USCIS proposes a new fee of $3,035 to recover the full cost of processing the EB-5 Annual Certification of Regional Center, Form I-924A. USCIS Completes Data Entry of FY 2017 H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions, Begins Rejections – USCIS […]
May 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines USCIS To Resume Premium Processing for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions; Temporarily Suspends Use of Pre-Paid Mailers for Certain H-1B Cap-Subject Petitions – For cap-subject H-1B petitions, including advanced degree exemption petitions, the 15-day premium processing period will begin on May 12, 2016, regardless of the date on the Form I-797 receipt notice. USCIS Designates Two […]
Mid-April 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: USCIS Reaches FY 2017 H-1B Cap – As expected, USCIS has quickly reached the H-1B cap for FY 2017. USCIS also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U.S. advanced degree exemption. Due to the high number of petitions, USCIS is not yet able to announce the date on […]
Cyrus Mehta Wins Who’s Who Legal Lawyer of the Year Award in Corporate Immigration Law
Cyrus D. Mehta is the winner of the Who’s Who Legal “Lawyer of the Year” award in Corporate Immigration Law for 2016. Mr. Mehta is the Managing Partner of Cyrus D Mehta & Partners PLLC in New York City. He represents corporations and individuals from around the world in a variety of immigration matters, including […]
April 2016 Global Immigration Update
Headlines: CHINA – Shanghai has simplified the process for individuals requesting work permits and residence permits. FRANCE – A new law on the rights of foreigners in France was promulgated on March 7, 2016. ITALY – A startup work permit fast-track procedure is now available also to foreigners already residing in Italy. PERU – The […]
April 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: USCIS Finalizes Guidance on ‘Same or Similar’ Occupations and Job Portability – USCIS has finalized guidance on determining whether a new job is in the “same or similar” occupational classification with respect to job portability. USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2016 – USCIS announced it has received a sufficient number […]
Mid-March 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: DHS Issues Final Rule Amending F-1 Regs, Breaks Record for Public Comments – DHS published a final rule amending regulations to expand optional practical training (OPT) for students with U.S. degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and create new obligations for F-1 students and F-1 employers starting May 10, 2016. Reminder: USCIS […]
March 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: DHS Implements VWP Changes in Response to Terrorism Concerns, Announces Further VWP Travel Restrictions – In January, the United States began implementing changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) under a new law. Travelers in several categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the VWP. DHS […]
Quarterly Global Immigration Update – February 2016
Feature Article: SECURITY MEASURES: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of recent immigration developments in security measures in several countries implemented in response to terror attacks and related concerns. Country Updates: BELGIUM – Belgium sets new 2016 salary thresholds for some fast track work permits B and the Blue Card. BRAZIL – A […]
Mid-February 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: U.S. Implements VWP Changes in Response to Terrorism Concerns – Under the new “Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015,” travelers in several categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the VWP. USCIS Advises Employers To Identify Returning Workers Who Are Exempt […]
February 2016 Immigration Update
Headlines: DHS Revises Regs on H-1B1, E-3, CW-1 Nonimmigrants and Certain EB-1 Immigrants – DHS said the final rule does not impose any additional costs on employers, workers, or any governmental entity. Court Delays STEM OPT Ruling, Preserving Current STEM OPT Program – DHS persuaded the court that it was working diligently to evaluate more […]
