As a result of a lengthy lawsuit, the USCIS willlower thehurdles for some H-4 and L-2 spouses. The lawsuit, Shergill et al, v Mayorkas, challenged the extensive
processing times for H-4 and L-2 spousal work permits (EADs). Overall, the settlement offers stronger benefits to L-2 spouses, but doesaccommodate for some of the H-4 spouse EAD […]
On November 8, 2021 the regional COVID-19 travel bans will be lifted and a vaccination requirement for nonimmigrant visa holders entering the U.S. via airplane will take their place. Nonimmigrant visa holders will need to show proof of full vaccination upon boarding a U.S.-bound airplane abroad in addition to showing a negative COVID test […]
The President Signs an Executive Order Banning Entry of Some Foreign Nationals Applying for Work Visas
On Monday, June 22, 2020, the president signed an Executive Order banning the entry of many foreign nationals hoping to apply for work visas abroad. The visa categories included in the Order are H-1B, L-1, and H-2B, as well […]
Summer is in full swing, which can often mean longer processing times at federal government agencies due to the workforce being on summer vacation. Employment-based green card applicants may experience longer processing time for their I-485 applications and, as a result, may consider “porting” job offers under the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century […]
Over the past few months, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has tightened restrictions for H-1B workers placed at third-party worksites. These changes are in accordance with the presidential administration’s “Buy American and Hire American” executive order.
In a policy memorandum from February 2018, the USCIS announced that it would require all U.S. employers to […]
When considering whether to sponsor a foreign national for a green card, U.S. companies should know who is responsible for paying which portions of the costs associated with the green card. This knowledge is especially vital for companies using green card repayment agreements, which indicate how much money is recoverable by the U.S. company […]
Since January 2018, our firm has seen a sharp increase in administrative processing for U.S. visa applications at consulates in India and China. This has caused significant delays in visas being approved and has resulted in foreign nationals spending an additional three weeks to two months in the country of the visa interview, as […]
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) recently changed its mission statement to remove the section describing the U.S. as “a nation of immigrants.” Before the recent change, the USCIS’s mission statement read:
“USCIS secures America’s promise as a nation of immigrants by providing accurate and useful information to our customers, granting immigration and […]
Based on current political talks, work permits (“EADs”) for H-4 visa holders may no longer be an option. The current law states that spouses of H-1B visa holders, also known as H-4 visa holders, may not apply for work authorization. The exception to this rule is that H-4 spouses may apply for work authorization […]
The 12 Notes of Christmas H-1B Sponsorship: What U.S. Employers Should Know About the H-1B Lottery
The holidays are just around the corner, closely followed by the H-1B lottery during the first week of April. Though the deadline may seem far off, now is when U.S. employers should begin to consider which foreign workers they […]