19 July

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USCIS Announces Second Phase of Premium Processing Expansion for Certain Previously Filed EB-1 and EB-2 Form I-140 Petitions

USCIS announced late last week that it will begin implementing its second phase of premium processing for certain petitioners who have pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, filed under the E13 multinational executive and manager classification (EB1C) or the E21 classification as a member of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability seeking a national interest waiver (NIW). Beginning August 1, 2022, USCIS will accept premium processing requests for: EB1C multinational executive and manager petitions received on or before July 1, 2021; and NIW petitions received on or before Aug. 1, 2021. ...

24 May

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USCIS Announces First Phase of Premium Processing Expansion for Certain Previously Filed EB-1 and EB-2 Form I-140 Petitions

Posted by Katie Wu

in Green Cards

USCIS announced today that it will begin implementing premium processing for certain petitioners who have pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, filed under the E13 multinational executive and manager classification (EB1C) or the E21 classification as a member of professions with advanced degrees or exceptional ability seeking a national interest waiver (NIW). The expansion will occur in phases: EB1C Upgrade Schedule Start Date Corresponding Filing/Priority Dates June 1, 2022 On or before Jan. 1, 2021 July 1, 2022 On or before March 1, 2021 NIW Upgrade Schedule Start Date Corresponding Filing/Priority Dates June 1, 2022 On or before Jan. 1, 2021 As specified by Congress, this final rule allows USCIS 45 days...

03 May

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USCIS Announces Temporary Automatic Extension for Eligible EAD Categories

Posted by Katie Wu

in EAD

USCIS announced today that effective May 4, 2022, it is temporarily amending existing regulations to increase the automatic extension period when renewing Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from up to 180 days to up to 540 days. This only applies to those EAD categories currently eligible EAD categories currently eligible for the previous up to 180-day automatic extension of employment authorization. With this temporary rule, USCIS will provide up to 360 additional days (for a total of up to 540 days) of automatic extension time to eligible applicants with a pending EAD renewal application. This increase will be available to eligible renewal...

25 April

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USCIS Provides Update on H-1B Cap Registrations

Posted by Katie Wu

in H-1B

Last week, USCIS announced that for FY2023 cap, they received more than 483,927 total registrations, of which 127,600 were selected in the initial lottery. Those with selected registrations will have their MyUSCIS accounts updated to include a selection notice and will have until June 30, 2022 to file selected petitions....

23 March

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TN Processing Changes in Mexico

Posted by Katie Wu

in State Department

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico have resumed limited processing of nonimmigrant visas. It is important to note that TN appointments are now only available in Mexico City, Ciudad Juarez, and Guadalajara. Previously scheduled TN appointments in Tijuana will be honored, but expedited appointments cannot be accommodated, and new TN appointments cannot be made. For the most up-to-date information on which types of visas can be processed at which locations in Mexico, please visit the website for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico.  ...

23 March

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USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on Certain First-Preference Immigrants

Posted by Katie Wu

in USCIS-General

In a Policy Alert issued today, USCIS updates its guidance relating to two evidentiary criteria pertaining to extraordinary ability and outstanding researcher/professor petitions to more closely align with recently issued nonimmigrant guidance for the O-1 visa. First, the policy clarifies that “published material” about the candidate (or the candidate’s work in the case of an outstanding researcher or professor) in professional or major trade publications or other media is no longer limited to printed articles. Rather, a petitioner may submit other forms of evidence, including a transcript of audio or video coverage. Second, the guidance confirms that, in the extraordinary ability...

22 March

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USCIS Issues Policy Guidance to Address Work Authorization Documentation for L and E Dependent Spouses

Posted by Katie Wu

in EAD, USCIS-General

In a Policy Alert published on March 18, 2022, USCIS confirmed that following its November 2021 announcement that E and L dependent spouses are now work authorized incident to valid status, USCIS will begin making system modifications to reflect new Class of Admission (COA) codes to distinguish between E and L spouses and children. As of January 30, 2022, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began issuing Form I-94 with the following codes for E and L spouses: E-1S, E-2S, E-3S, and L-2S. An unexpired Form I-94 that reflects one of these new COA codes for E and L spouses is...

07 February

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Validity Periods of Certain EADs Updated to 2-Years

Posted by gipadmin

in Uncategorized

GIP Employer Alert: Validity Periods of Certain EADs Updated to 2-Years Effective today, USCIS announced in a Policy Alert that it is updating the maximum validity period of EADs granted to certain applicants in the following categories: Admitted as a refugee (a)(3); Granted asylum (a)(5); Granted withholding of deportation or removal (a)(10); and VAWA self-petitioner (c)(31). Individuals in the aforementioned categories will now receive initial and renewal EADs granted for a 2-year period (as distinguished from the previous 1-year validity period). Additionally, USCIS confirmed that it will grant new and renewal EADs up to the end of the parole or deferred action period...

03 February

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E and L Dependent – New Class of Admission Code

Posted by gipadmin

in EAD, USCIS-General

GIP Employer Alert – E and L Derivative Status Admission Codes Updates This past November, as part of an earlier settlement agreement, the USCIS agreed to make work authorization incidental to L or E dependent status. As such, these dependent spouse categories are no longer required to apply for employment authorization separately. It has just been confirmed that as of January 31st, 2022, CBP will issue I-94s to L and E spouses upon entry into the US that will reflect updated Class of Admission (COA) codes. For I-9 purposes, I-94s with the new COA code can be used in lieu of the...

03 February

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Employer Alert (STEM Expansion)

Posted by gipadmin

in Biden, F-1, STEM OPT, USCIS-General

Employer Alert: Recent Immigration Policy Changes to Promote STEM Fields On January 21, 2022, the Biden Administration released a series of policies aimed to attract and retain talent in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (“STEM”) fields in the United States. These policies include: Expansion of STEM fields relating to Optional Practical Training (“OPT) for F-1 students: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has updated and expanded its list of STEM fields to include 22 new fields of study, which includes Business Analytics, Mathematical Economics, and Financial Analytics, just to name a few.  This addition will enable F-1 student visa holders to...

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