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News & EventsUSCIS Releases Revised Version of Form I-539
As mentioned in a previous article, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a revised version of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status as well as a new Form I-539A Supplement. These new forms will become...
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for All H-1B Petitions
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will be resuming Premium Processing on Tuesday, March 12, for all H-1B petitions. Back on September 11, 2018, USCIS had announced that it was extending a previously announced temporary...
New USCIS Data Confirms Higher Rate of RFEs and Denials
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently released new data that confirms a higher rate of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Denials between fiscal year (FY) 2015 and the first quarter of FY 2019. This data reflects adjudication patterns...
Proposal to Rescind H-4 Employment Authorization Under Review
As mentioned in a previous article, in April 2015, a group of tech workers formed by Americans who were employed at Southern California Edison filed a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief and a motion for preliminary injunction staying the implementation of...
USCIS Will Implement Revised Edition of Form I-539
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will implement a revised edition of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status beginning on March 11, 2019. The revised Form I-539 will require the following: Every...
President Trump Signs FY 2019 Spending Bill
After a government shutdown that lasted for 35 days, President Trump signed a fiscal year 2019 spending bill on February 15, 2019 that was passed by Congress. Specifically regarding immigration, the spending bill provided funding for the Department of Homeland...
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions Filed on or Before December 21, 2018
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will resume premium processing for all H-1B petitions filed on or before December 21, 2018. Back on September 11, 2018, USCIS had announced that it was extending a previously...
March 2019 Visa Bulletin Issued
The Department of State (DOS) has issued its March 2019 Visa Bulletin. Most notably, there were steady advancements for all priority dates. EB-1-Worldwide: China: Priority date of February 22, 2017 (Advancement of 14 days) India: ...
Reminder: FY 2020 H-1B Cap Begins on April 1, 2019
The H-1B cap season for fiscal year 2020 will begin on Monday, April 1, 2019. As expected in previous years, the H-1B cap demand is anticipated to be high this cap season as well. How can H-1B employers prepare for this H-1B cap season? H-1B employers should reach out...
U.S. State Department Reducing H and L Visa Interview Locations in China
Beginning on March 1, 2019, the United States State Department will only conduct H and L visa interviews in China at three locations: the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, and the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai. As such, H and L visa interviews...