In the immigration community, autumn brings a new-year sense of renewal. A new US government fiscal year beginning October 1 means a fresh start to the annual allocation of green cards for those looking to apply. But application backlogs which
Photo by Headway on Unsplash USCIS expanded Premium Processing Services (PPS) to F-1 students who have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization earlier this year. F-1 students will file a Form I-765 when seeking optional practical training (OPT) or
Photo by Radowan Nakif Rehan on Unsplash The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register notice in mid-July announcing eight (8) additional Classification of Industrial Programs (CIP) codes to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. STEM
Below is a flyer from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) outlining information regarding Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extensions. This extension is automatic if someone files for a new EAD card before the current EAD expires. A Temporary Final Ruling from USCIS announced
Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash You can now reschedule a biometric service appointment through a new self-service tool with an online USCIS account. The rescheduling tool eliminates the need to call the USCIS Contact Center, which has been known
Photo by javier trueba on Unsplash USCIS announced the expansion of Premium Processing Service (PPS) to applicants submitting a Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status for F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. At the time of
Photo by ConvertKit on Unsplash From April 2022 to 2023, Customs, Border and Protection Agency (CBP) completed a full year of the “Simplified Arrival” program to achieve streamlining and digitization of the legal entry process. One part of this program
Tune into the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Quicktake on the FY2024 H-1B Registration Numbers report that was released in the spring. Director of AILA’s Government Relations, Shavari Dalal-Dheini, examines the H-1B registration numbers and explains AILA’s recommendations to USCIS,
Photo by Online Marketing on Unsplash USCIS determined last spring that a civil surgeon’s signature of the Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record can be more than 60 days old before an applicant files for their
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash Starting today, August 1, 2023, USCIS published a revised version of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. This new form version comes alongside a remote option for employers to have their Form I-9s