Starting January 1, 2024, the Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, is extending the flexibility to waive the in-person interview for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. First-time H-2 visa applicants, along with others who've had a non-B visa in the past and are applying within 48 months of its expiration, can benefit from this change. To meet the criteria, applicants must also apply in their country of nationality or residence; have never been refused [...]

Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023) H-1B cap will open the electronic registration at noon Eastern on March 1, 2022 and run through noon Eastern on March 18, 2022. U.S. employers file H-1b petitions for foreign nationals who will be employed temporarily in professional fields – referred to as “specialty occupations” or as fashion models of distinguished merit and ability. Each year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selects 65,000 H-1B registrations for foreign [...]

U.S. and Canada Land Border is Opening On October 13, 2021, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Mayorkas announced that DHS will lift the Title 19 Restrictions for land and ferry border crossings from Canada and Mexico in two phases: In early November 2021, consistent with the rescission of the INA 212(f) COVID-19 entry bans for air travelers, DHS will first allow non-essential travel across the land and ferry borders for fully vaccinated individuals, while still [...]

Millions of applicants nationwide are waiting longer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to process and approve applications and petitions for immigration benefits. All the categories in family-based benefits, employment-based benefits, naturalization, travel documents, and employment authorization are being affected. Between FY2017 and FY2019, USCIS’s processing times for all petitions and application form types rose more than 37%. For common form types, processing [...]

On August 9, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that applicants filing to apply for a green card are now able to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) or replacement card using a single form, the updated Form I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. To lawfully work in the United Statements, employees must show evidence of their identity and employment eligibility. An unrestricted Social Security card from the Social [...]