January 2025 Visa Bulletin Issued: Dates for Filing (DFF) EB Cut-Off Dates Will Apply; No DFF Movement in Any Categories
The U.S. Department of State has released its January 2025 Visa Bulletin imposing per-country cut-off dates that regulate immigrant visa availability and the flow of Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications and consular Immigrant Visa application interviews and...
DHS Final Rule Makes Permanent the 540-Day Automatic Extension Period for Certain EAD Renewal Applications
In the first of what may be a number of regulatory initiatives taken by the lame-duck Biden administration to protect immigration benefits from elimination by the Trump administration that will take office on January 20, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)...
Digital Work Permit Integration with Social Security
China has implemented a digital Work Permit for foreigners and the Work Permit will be integrated into the Social Security Card. The change took effect on December 1, 2024. With this integration of a foreigner’s Work Permit and Social Security Card, the Chinese...
USCIS Announces that the FY2025 H-1B Cap Has Been Reached
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received enough H-1B petitions to reach the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap or quota, as well as the 20,000 H-1B exemption for holders of advanced degrees from...
The Potential Impact of a New Trump Administration on Business or Employment-Based Immigration to the United States
The new Trump administration, that will take office on January 20, 2025, is expected to take several measures to restrict immigration, remove undocumented persons, and enhance border security in the United States. While business immigration was not widely discussed...
Canada: Notable Changes to International Student Program Regulations
Effective November 15, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed notable changes to the International Student Program regulations. These changes include the following: Eligible students will now be allowed to work off campus up to 24...
Canada: Updated Temporary Immigration Application Guidance
The Canadian government has made some notable updates to processing for some temporary immigration applications: Temporary Resident Visas: The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its guidance and now specifies that multiple-entry temporary...
Federal Court Permanently Enjoins Biden Parole-in-Place Program for Undocumented Spouses and Stepchildren of US Citizens; USCIS Announces that It Will Cease to Accept and Process Applications Under this Program
On June 18th of this year, President Biden introduced a Parole-in-Place (PIP) program under the Keeping Families Together initiative that allowed undocumented spouses and stepchildren of United States citizens, if otherwise eligible, to apply for lawful permanent...
Canada: Supplemental Immigration Levels Plan Will Impact Number of Canadian Permanent Residents Admitted
The Canadian government recently announced a supplementary Immigration Levels Plan for the years 2025/2026, which will see a decrease in the number of permanent residents being admitted to Canada, from 485,000 in 2024, to 395,000 in 2025, and 380,000 in 2026. The...
December 2024 Visa Bulletin Issued: Dates for Filing (DFF) EB Cut-Off Dates Will Apply; No Movement in Any DFF Categories
The U.S. Department of State has released its December 2024 Visa Bulletin imposing per-country cut-off dates that regulate immigrant visa availability and the flow of Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications and consular Immigrant Visa application interviews and...