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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Headlines: State Dept. Expands Waivers of In-Person Interviews for Certain Temporary Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants – The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has authorized consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain temporary employment nonimmigrant visa applicants who have a petition approved USCIS. Restrictions on Travelers From Southern […]
Headlines: Immigration Provisions of Social Spending Bill in Limbo as Senate Democrats Struggle With Parliamentarian Rejections, Uncertainties – Lawmakers struggled to consider their options, including revisions to the immigration provisions or simply moving ahead without parliamentarian approval. DHS Extends I-9 Flexibility to April 30, 2022 – DHS extended the flexibility policy in complying with certain […]
