PERM The Department of Labor reports that PERM processing times are approximately 12-13 months. Cases that are currently being adjudicated have a Priority Date of April 2023. Cases that are under Audit Review have a longer processing time of about 15 months. Cases currently being adjudicated in Audit Review have a Priority Date of December […]
USCIS recently released data about how many cap H-1B lottery registrations were selected for case submission for FY (Fiscal Year) 2025 (the current Cap fiscal year) in relation to annual H-1B quota levels for each respective year, and in relation to the total approval rates for submitted petitions.
USCIS previously extended the validity of EADs where individuals had applied for renewals for certain EAD categories from 180 to 540 days between May 2022 and October 2023. USCIS is again implementing longer validity periods for existing EADs where a renewal has been filed. Individuals are eligible for an automatic 540 day extension of […]
USCIS will now recognize that any I-693 medical exam (typically submitted with an I-485 Adjustment of Status Application) completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after November 1, 2023 does not expire and can be used indefinitely. This is a significant benefit and change to foreign nationals applying for adjustment of status. USCIS […]
USCIS has reported that it is pursuing batch processing for some H-4 EAD’s. USCIS states that it is attempting to “streamline case processing, which aims to improve processing efficiency and reduce processing times for eligible applications for some I-765 … C26 renewals.” USCIS is issuing common end validity dates to applications processed in a batch […]
On March 21, 2024 USCIS announced that the initial registration period for the FY2025 H-1B cap will be extended. Due to the temporary system outage that occurred, the registration period which was initially ending at noon Eastern on March 22, 2024, will now remain open through March 25, 2024 at noon. During this period, companies […]
The Biden administration has ordered that Palestinians shall not be removed from the United States through August 14, 2024. The order applies to any Palestinian in the US as of February 14, 2024. Deferred enforced departure is not an immigration status. Individuals who benefit from the program are typically only granted the benefit for a […]
USCIS has announced the schedule for the fiscal year 2025 H-1B lottery registration and updates to the registration process. Dates: The lottery registration period will occur between March 6 and March 22, 2024. The results of the lottery will be released by March 31st. We encourage clients to initiate H-1B cap processes as soon as […]
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule that would increase filing fees for petitions filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The new fees will go into effect on April 1, 2024. The new fee schedule calls for a substantial increase in fees for most petitions including: PETITION TYPE […]