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News & EventsNovember 2018 Visa Bulletin Issued
The Department of State (DOS) has issued its November 2018 Visa Bulletin. Most notably, there were nearly no advancements for any priority dates except for EB-2 China and EB-3 Philippines. EB-1-Worldwide: China: Priority date of June 1, 2016 (No...
Proposed Changes to H-1B and H-4
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have released their fall 2018 regulatory agendas. If finalized and implemented, the H-1B and H-4 programs will be significantly impacted. The followings are key items on the fall 2018...
H-1B Cap Pre-Registration and Other Proposals
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is making steps towards creating a pre-registration system for the H-1B cap selection process, as well as other changes to the entire H-1B cap system. At this time, the draft regulation has been sent to...
Department of Labor Expected to Implement Revised LCA
The Department of Labor (DOL) is expected to implement a revised Labor Condition Application (LCA) between October 24 and October 31, 2018. The revised form will require employers to name their end-client or vendor when submitting an application for an H-1B, H-1B1, or...
USCIS Revises Guidance on Validity Period of Form I-693
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising guidance for the validity period of Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Generally, all applicants who file for an adjustment of status to a lawful permanent resident...
CBP Releases Statement Regarding Canada’s Legalization of Marijuana and Crossing the Border
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a statement on September 21, 2018 regarding Canada’s legalization of marijuana and crossing the border. According the statement, Canada’s legalization of marijuana does not affect CBP’s enforcement of the...
USCIS: “Cap-Gap” Work Authorization is Only Valid Through September 30
According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), foreign nationals who currently have F-1 status with a pending H-1B petition on October 1, 2018 are at risk of accruing unlawful presence if they continue to work on or after October 1...
October 2018 Visa Bulletin Issued
The Department of State (DOS) has issued its October 2018 Visa Bulletin. Most notably, there were significant advancements for all priority dates across the board. EB-1-Worldwide: China: Priority date of June 1, 2016 (Advancement of 1614 days)...
Highlights from Teleconference on USCIS Policy Update on RFEs and NOIDs
On September 6, 2018, the Office of the CIS Ombudsman hosted a teleconference on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy updates of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) that was issued on July 13, 2018. Our...
Updated Guidance on Notices to Appear
On September 27, 2018, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) hosted a teleconference to discuss the new guidance regarding issuances of Notices to Appear (NTAs) that was issued on June 28, 2018. What is a Notice to Appear? Form I-862, Notice...