H-1B LOTTERY CHANGES AND REGISTRATION PERIOD ANNOUNCED

USCIS has announced that the FY 2025 H-1B cap registration period will run from noon ET, March 6, 2024 to noon ET, March 22, 2024. This year, there will be a few changes to the registration process. A few key changes are noted below: USCIS will be introducing a new online organizational account system that will go live at noon … Read more

USCIS FINAL RULE ON FEE INCREASES PUBLISHED

USCIS has published the final rule related to the anticipated filing fee increases. For a table summary of the fee increases, see here: USCIS Final Rule – Fees. The new fees will go into effect on April 1, 2024. A few important notes: USCIS will now charge different fees for Form I-129, Petition for a … Read more

USCIS Filing Fee Increases Expected Soon

As background, on January 4, 2023, USCIS issued a proposed rule on adjusting their fee schedule, which included increasing application fees by a 40% overall weighted average increase. On Monday, January 8, 2024, the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) received the Final Rule outlining the increased fees for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration … Read more

USCIS CONFIRMS FY2024 H-1B CAP REACHED

USCIS has confirmed that they have received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the 85,000 combined regular and master’s cap for fiscal year (FY) 2024.  Non-selection notices will be sent through registrants’ online accounts over next several days.  Please reach out to discuss any questions or concerns about next steps or further options.  

Proposed H-1B Regulations

Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would modernize the H-1B specialty occupation worker program. One item of particular importance in the proposed rule is that the government seeks to change how USCIS conducts the H-1B registration selection process, and … Read more

Israeli Citizens and Nationals Now Eligible to travel to U.S. under Visa Waiver Program

On October 19, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Israeli citizens and nationals are now eligible to travel to the U.S. as part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Eligible Israeli citizens and nationals may apply for authorization to travel to the United States through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) … Read more

New Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers must use Form I-9 to verify the identity and employment authorization of their employees.  Beginning November 1, 2023, only the new Form I-9 dated “08/01/2023” may be used.  The version date can be found at the lower left … Read more

TPS for Venezuela Extended, and Redesignated

Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Venezuela that prevent individuals from safely returning. This redesignation provides temporary protection from removal, as well as employment authorization for individuals in the United States before July 31, 2023. … Read more

TPS for Afghanistan Extended, Redesignated

TPS for Afghanistan Extended, Redesignated Department of Homeland Security announced Extension and redesignation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on November 21, 2023, and ending on May 20, 2025. This extension allows existing TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through May 20, 2025, so long as they otherwise continue to meet … Read more

EAD Validity Periods to be Extended to Five Years

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced extension of maximum validity periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs, Form I-766) issued to refugees and asylees, noncitizens paroled as refugees, noncitizens granted withholding of removal, noncitizens with pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal, noncitizens with pending applications for adjustment of status under INA 245, and … Read more