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The Waiting Is the Hardest Part
Last year I had to develop new and deeper wells of patience. My twin sons were applying to college. We had visited some schools and learned about others remotely. The autumn involved coaching my sons to put their applications together in a timely manner. But it was the months of waiting over the winter for […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
O-1 and P-1 Visas
What is an O-1 or P-1 visa? The O category is for persons of “extraordinary ability” in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. A P-1 visa is for individuals coming temporarily to the U.S. to perform at a specific athletic competition or entertainment event. REQUIREMENTS O-1 Requirements: In order to qualify for an O-1 […]
E-3 Visa – Australian Professionals
What is an E-3 visa for Australian Professionals? The E-3 classification applies only to Australian Nationals working in the U.S. in a specialty occupation. This visa category has an annual cap of 10,500 visas available each fiscal year. All applications for an E-3 must contain a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of […]
USCIS Guidance on Expedited EADs for Healthcare & Childcare Workers
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash An initial Employment Authorization Document (EAD) application, that has been pending for over 90 days, for healthcare and childcare workers, and who have valid immigration status can now be requested for expedited processing. The form to use is the Form I-765. This expedited request process is already in […]