USCIS to Implement Premium Processing for Certain Previously Filed EB-1 and EB-2 Form I-140 Petitions
Petition Processing Updates U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is implementing premium processing for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. This expansion of premium processing only applies to certain previously filed Form I-140 petitions under an E13 multinational executive and manager classification or […]
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Fee Increase
Per Department of Homeland Security – Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Fee Increase A recent Homeland Security document amends Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations pertaining to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is the online system through which nonimmigrant visitors intending to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program […]
Changes for L-2, E and H-4
Changes Affecting Employment Authorization for L-2, E, and H-4 Dependent Spouses On November 12, 2021, USCIS announced that L-2 and E dependent spouses are no longer required to apply for an EAD to work in the United States. Instead, L-2 and E dependent spouses are authorized to work in the United States just by virtue […]
USCIS increases Automatic Extension Period for Work Permits
Certain Applicants received an automatic extension period for work permits. Recently Announced – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) that increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), available to certain EAD renewal applicants, to up to 540 days. The increase, which will be effective immediately on […]
Admission to the US
What happens upon admission to the US? During the admission to the US process Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents stamp your passport and enters your admission record in the database. Always check the expiration date of your stamp before leaving the port of entry! Passport Expiration Expiration dates are different for different visa categories, […]
Combo Cards
What Is a Combo Card? Here is the definition of a Combo Card: In 2011, USCIS announced that they would begin issuing employment and travel authorization on a single “combo” card for those green card applicants already living lawfully in the United States and filing an adjustment of status (AOS) application. By combining the documents, […]
Expediting NIV Appointments
Here are some tips for Expediting NIV Appointments Following are some tips provided by the American Immigration Lawyers Association for expediting NIV (non-immigrant visa) appointments. 1. Have realistic expectations First, consult https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html to find the Visa Wait Times for the consulate where you intend to apply. Every consulate updates the wait times on a regular […]
USCIS Lengthens Work Permit Automatic Extensions and Expands Premium Processing Options
When Ms. Ur M. Jaddou became the new US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director in August 2021, I did not envy her position. The Trump Administration seemed to do everything possible to slow petition processing. After years of those tactics, USCIS has accumulated a huge backlog of visa and document applications. While the Biden […]