Blog

New USCIS Rule Expands Eligibility for Provisional Waiver Process

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services publish a final rule today that expands the class of individuals who can apply for a provisional waiver of the unlawful presence grounds of inadmissibility. Generally, a person who seeks to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States must either apply to adjust status with USCIS inside the […]

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Proposed USCIS Fee Increase

Department of Homeland Security announces today of its proposal to increase certain USCIS filing fees because the current fees do not recover the full costs of services USCIS is providing. The proposed rule means an increase in filing fees that averages at 21 percent and adds one new fee of $3,035 for the processing of […]

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FY 2017 H-1B Cap Reached and Lottery Selection Completed

USCIS has received enough H-1B petitions to reach the general cap of 65,000 and advanced degree cap of 20,000 for fiscal year 2017.  During the filing period that began on April 1, 2016, USCIS received over 236,000 cap-subject H-1B petitions.  The computer-generated random selection process began on April 9, 2016, and now USCIS has selected […]

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New STEM OPT Rule

On March 11, 2016, DHS published the final rule on STEM OPT extension.  This rule replaces the interim 2008 STEM OPT rule. This new rule will go into effect on May 10, 2016. OPT, or Optional Practical Training, is a form of temporary employment authorization available to F-1 students that directly relates to the student’s […]

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New SEVP Procedures for Noncompliance with Form I-515A

Starting April 1, 2016, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will begin to send out “Intent to Terminate” notices to students and exchange visitors who failed to comply with Form I-515A. Form I-515A, Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor, is given to nonimmigrant student (F-1/M-1), exchange visitor (J-1), and their dependents (F-2/M-2/J-2) who do […]

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H-1B Season is Here

H-1B Season is here, and now is time to prepare your H-1B case and have it ready to file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on April 1, 2016. An H-1B classification is for foreign nationals who will be employed in specialty occupations, which are occupations that require bachelor’s degree or higher, or its equivalent, […]

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F-1 Students and Travel Outside of the United States

F-1 students who wish to travel outside of the United States must be prepared to present the following items at the time they seek to reenter the country: A valid passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of reentry A valid F-1 visa.  Check to make sure that your visa contains […]

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Tips to Prepare for Immigration Raid at Workplace

An immigration raid is an enforcement action conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  ICE officers in immigration raids are immigration law enforcement officers.  They conduct these raids to either enforce an employer’s compliance with immigration laws, arrest an individual who is believed to be at the site, or conduct a search of the […]

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Changes to Visa Bulletin

On September 9, 2015, USCIS and the Department of State announced new procedures for processing immigrant visa applications and for filing of Adjustment of Status (I-485) applications.  The new procedures will allow for an earlier submission of documents for immigrant visa applications for those who seek to obtain immigrant visas through U.S. Consulates.  The new […]

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Employment Options for F-1 Students

F-1 Students are students in colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, elementary schools, or other academic institutions, and in language training programs.  There are several avenues for F-1 students to engage in authorized employment in the United States. On-Campus Work.  On-campus work can begin as soon as an F-1 student is admitted.  The employment […]

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