Beginning July 13, 2015, USCIS will resume accepting Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for all Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, H-1B extension of stay petitions. Premium processing requests for Form I-129 H-1B extension of stay petitions received by USCIS before July 13, 2015 will be rejected. The USCIS previously announced on May 19, 2015, that premium … [Read more...]
Passport and Visa Systems Issues
June 20, 2015 by ·
The Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with its overseas passport and visa systems. The issue is not specific to any particular country, citizenship document, or visa category. On June 15, 2015, DOS issued an update alert stating that: “The Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with our visa systems. These issues have … [Read more...]
Work Authorization for H-4 Dependents
May 26, 2015 by ·
A regulatory change effective May 26, 2015, will extend eligibility for work authorization to H-4 spouses of certain H-1B workers who have already started the process of seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status. H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants will be eligible to apply for an EAD under the new rule if their H-1B spouse: 1. Is the principal beneficiary of an … [Read more...]
S.1189 Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Act
May 5, 2015 by ·
The Conrad State 30 Program, which permits States to support up to 30 J-1 physicians for a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement, has placed thousands of J-1 physicians to medically underserved areas in the United States. The Conrad 30 Program has been in existence since 1994 and has been reauthorized by Congress several times. The current reauthorization expires September 30, … [Read more...]
H-1B Changes to Worksite Locations
April 9, 2015 by ·
Pursuant to the recent precedent decision (April 9, 2015) in Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC (26 I&N Dec. 542 (AAO 2015)), an employer is required to file an amended H-1B petition for changes in worksite or address. In Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC, the USCIS revoked the employer’s approved H-1B petition after it was found that the employer failed to file an amended H-1B petition in … [Read more...]
H-1B FY 2016 Cap Filing Season Opens April 1, 2015
April 1, 2015 by ·
The annual H-1B cap filing season opens today, April 1, 2015. USCIS will now accept H-1B petitions filed by employers for cap-subject employees for one of the FY 2016 (October 1, 2015 - September 30, 2016) available H-1B slots. Certain petitioners (including institutions of higher education) continue to be exempt from the cap. How quickly the cap is reached depends on demand. However, over the … [Read more...]