Immigration Fees Likely to Soar in Early 2024
Facing a stubborn backlog and an influx of immigrants seeking refuge, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposed a rule featuring a new fee schedule in January 2023. The proposed fee schedule includes sharp increases in fees for H-1B visas, green cards, and naturalization. USCIS has deferred the final ruling on the fees until […]
Minimize Your Cost by Starting the Green Card Process Early
In the immigration community, autumn brings a new-year sense of renewal. A new US government fiscal year beginning October 1 means a fresh start to the annual allocation of green cards for those looking to apply. But application backlogs which have grown for countries like mainland China and India have tempered that October optimism. A […]
CIS Ombudsman’s Office Reminder: Additional Time to Produce F-1 EAD Cards
Photo by Headway on Unsplash USCIS expanded Premium Processing Services (PPS) to F-1 students who have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization earlier this year. F-1 students will file a Form I-765 when seeking optional practical training (OPT) or science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions. Upgrading the filing with a Form I-907, […]
Eight New CIP Codes in the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List
Photo by Radowan Nakif Rehan on Unsplash The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register notice in mid-July announcing eight (8) additional Classification of Industrial Programs (CIP) codes to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This List of CIP Codes is used when […]
AILA Flyer: EAD Extensions Back to 180-Days Soon
Below is a flyer from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) outlining information regarding Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extensions. This extension is automatic if someone files for a new EAD card before the current EAD expires. A Temporary Final Ruling from USCIS announced an automatic extension period up to 540 days to combat long processing times. Unfortunately USCIS […]
Rescheduling Biometric Services Appointments with USCIS
Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash You can now reschedule a biometric service appointment through a new self-service tool with an online USCIS account. The rescheduling tool eliminates the need to call the USCIS Contact Center, which has been known to be a tedious procedure with long wait times. This comes as a result from […]
Premium Processing Available for I-539 Applicants seeking F, M, J status
Photo by javier trueba on Unsplash USCIS announced the expansion of Premium Processing Service (PPS) to applicants submitting a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status for F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. At the time of this writing, the Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service will be accepted for a […]
H-1B Visa Cap Reached: USCIS FY 2024 Updates and Exemptions
Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the congressionally mandated caps for H-1B visas for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The regular cap of 65,000 and the master’s cap of 20,000 for U.S. advanced degree exemptions have both been met. Non-selection notices will be sent to registrants through […]