Archives
60-Day Rule Removed for I-693 Civil Surgeon Signature
Photo by Online Marketing on Unsplash USCIS determined last spring that a civil surgeon’s signature of the Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record can be more than 60 days old before an applicant files for their immigrant visa. Previously, USCIS considered a completed Form I-693 valid for 2 years after the […]
Promising News for Foreign Nationals Seeking Adjustment of Status
After being an International Student Advisor at Purdue University for two years, I went to law school to become an immigration attorney to help people get where they wanted to go. An international student who wanted to go to college in the US. A foreign IT professional who wanted to contribute their talent to a […]
Stateside Visa Renewal Announced by Department of State
Photo by Artur Tumasjan on Unsplash The State Department (DOS) has recently announced a pilot program of domestic visa renewals for H and L visa holders later this year. Ever since 2004, H and L holders must travel back to their home country, renew their visa at the home country’s U.S. Consulate, and then travel […]
AILA: Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers
Below is a flyer from the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The Department of State has been issuing nonimmigrant visa interview waivers to more people due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. A company’s nonimmigrant foreign national may be eligible to apply for an interview waiver. However, it all depends on how a particular U.S. Consulate operates. For […]
USCIS Information on Options when Terminating Nonimmigrant Workers
Photo by Craig Whitehead on Unsplash Recently, USCIS released a new webpage outlining the details of what happens after a nonimmigrant gets terminated from their employment, voluntarily or involuntarily. The full webpage can be found here. First and foremost, workers facing termination on an E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, or TN classification have […]
The Top 5 Mistakes Employers Make When Preparing H-1B Petitions
The H-1B season is off and running! Though United States Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS) has not specified the dates the online lottery will be open this year, we know it will occur in March. I recommend that all petitions be ready for submission by March 1. Please know USCIS has proposed a rule […]
Biden Brightens Immigration Outlook, H-1B Visa Details TBD
President Biden Brightens Immigration Outlook It feels like a cloud has been lifted from the immigrant community and everyone who serves it. Last November I mentioned that the Trump Administration enacted over 400 immigration policy changes during their tenure. The changes added burdens to visa petitions, delayed processing, and made life more challenging for everyone […]
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 […]