USCIS Extends Validity of Green Cards for Form I-751 and Form I-829 Petitioners
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced this week that it will automatically extend the validity of certain Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) that have expired. Specifically, this applies to foreign nationals who...
USCIS to Process Concurrently Filed I-539 and I-765 Applications for H-4 and L-2 Dependents with Principal I-129 Petitions
As a result of a settlement reached in the Edakkuni vs. Mayorkas litigation, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has agreed to process Form I-539 applications to extend or change status filed by H-4 and L-2 dependents at the same as the...
Application for eVisa Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) Now Available
The Immigration Department of Malaysia announced that, effective January 20, 2023, eVisa online applications now allow for Multiple Entry Visas (MEV). All applicants are required to follow the terms and conditions issued by the Malaysian Government and approval is...
Understanding the 60-Day Grace Period for Terminated Visa Employees
The Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment guidance recently issued by the USCIS in anticipation of the widespread layoffs and reductions in force that may occur in 2023 makes this an appropriate time to study in detail the 60-day...
February 2023 Visa Bulletin Leaves Cut-Off Dates Unchanged for Most EB Categories
The U.S. Department of State has released its February 2023 Visa Bulletin, imposing per-country cut-off dates that regulate Immigrant Visa availability and the flow of Adjustment of Status (AOS) application and consular Immigrant Visa application filings and...
USCIS Announces Upcoming Expansion of Premium Processing Service for Certain I-140, I-765, and I-539 Filings
The USCIS announced today that it will expand its Premium Processing Service, which reduces the processing time of a petition for an immigration benefit upon the payment of an additional fee, beginning on January 30, 2023. On that date, the USCIS will begin to accept...
USCIS Proposes Fee Increases for Certain Employment-Based Petitions
The USCIS issued a Proposed Rule today that will significantly increase the filing fees for certain nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions paid by petitioners seeking to employ foreign national workers. The Proposed Rule is subject to a 60-day comment period that will...
U.S. Requires Negative COVID-19 Test for Travelers from China
The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) announced today that air passengers boarding flights to the United States originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau will have to show a negative...
New Version of Form I-485 Effective Today
Starting today, December 23, 2022, any Adjustment of Status applications filed with the USCIS must use the new version of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (12/23/22 edition). The new version of Form I-485 is available here....
Wage Transparency Laws Create New Obligations for PERM Process
Employers conducting recruitment in support of a PERM certification application should be mindful of certain recent local and state “wage transparency” laws that regulate the content of advertisements or postings placed in support of such recruitment. The purpose of...