On October 1, 2020, President Trump signed into law the ‘Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act,’ which provides FY 2021 funding to Federal agencies through December 11, 2020, for continuing the projects and activities of the Federal Government. The Act, among other provisions, also provides for expanding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) […] The post Impending Changes To Premium Processing Service: What To Expect appeared first on VisaPro. […]

Two interim final rules, one published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and another by the Department of Labor (DOL), provide for significant changes to the H-1B Visa program. Some of the key changes proposed in the rules are as below. DHS Regulations Revising the definition of and standards for a “specialty occupation” – […] The post New Rules Set To Tighten H-1B Visa Program, Increase Prevailing Wages appeared first on VisaPro. […]

USCIS has started sending notifications to employers and their immigration attorneys informing them that certain H-1B cap registrations submitted by them in March 2020 have been selected for submission in a recently conducted selection of reserve registrations. Registration notices for these newly selected reserve registrations mention that H-1B cap petitions for their newly-selected registrations must […] The post FY 2021 H-1B Cap: USCIS Selects Additional H-1B Registrations For Submission appeared first on VisaPro. […]

In a significant development, ICE and DHS announced at a court hearing that they would be rescinding the July 7th Policy Directive, which would not have allowed F-1 and M-1 students to take a full course of study through online only classes for the Fall Semester. The announcement was made by U.S. District Judge Allison […] The post ICE Rescinds Recent Guidance On Online Only Courses For F-1 And M-1 Students appeared first on VisaPro. […]

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced that F-1 and M-1 students within the United States are not permitted to take a full course of study through online classes for the Fall Semester. If a foreign student finds himself or herself in such a situation, he or she must take alternative steps to maintain […] The post F-1 And M-1 Students Attending Entirely Online Courses May Not Remain In The U.S. appeared first on VisaPro. […]

President Trump issued a new Proclamation on 06/22/2020 placing restrictions and limitations on the entry into the United States of foreign nationals in certain nonimmigrant work visa classifications like the H-1B and L-1. Below are some of the key elements of the Proclamation: 1.Entry of a foreign national into the United States pursuant to any […] The post President Trump’s Proclamation On Suspension of H-1B And L-1: What You Need to Know appeared first on VisaPro. […]

USCIS has recently issued an updated Policy Memorandum, rescinding two previous Policy Memorandums that provided guidance on H-1B petitions filed for workers to be employed at third-party worksites, and on the employer-employee relationship requirement for an H-1B. The following are some of key guidance provided in the new Policy Memorandum: In determining whether an employer-employee […] The post Employer-Employee Relationship For H-1B: USCIS Issues Updated Memorandum appeared first on VisaPro. […]

Foreign nationals who are unable to depart the U.S. before the expiration of their authorized period of stay due to the Covid-19 pandemic have the following options to ensure they do not start accruing unlawful presence: Apply Timely For An Extension of Stay/Change Of Status Foreign nationals who timely file an application for Extension of […] The post Covid-19 Alert: Steps To Avoid Accruing Unlawful Presence appeared first on VisaPro. […]

FY 2021 H1B cap petitions that are based on H1B cap registrations selected in the FY 2021 H1B lottery could now be filed with USCIS. USCIS has announced that nearly 275,000 registrations were submitted during the initial H1B cap registration period between March 1 and March 20, and petitioners whose registrations were selected in the […] The post FY 2021 H1B Cap Petitions May Now Be Filed With USCIS appeared first on VisaPro. […]

USCIS has extended the temporary suspension of in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers to until at least May 3. USCIS offices will begin to reopen on May 4 unless the public closures are extended further. USCIS field offices will send notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments and […] The post COVID-19 Updates: USCIS Extends Office Closures appeared first on VisaPro. […]