We are happy to deliver some amazing news for H-4, E, and L dependent spouses! On November 12, 2021, following a settlement agreement known as Shergill v. Mayorkas, the United States Citizenship, and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new Policy Memorandum (Policy Alert PA-2021-25) outlining that the agency will automatically…
Articles Posted in Highly Skilled Workers
BREAKING: Biden Administration Settles Class-Action Lawsuit Allowing L-2 and H-4 Spouses to Work Incident to Status
In this blog post we share amazing news with our readers regarding the settlement of a recent class-action lawsuit filed against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The agreement reached under the settlement will immediately allow for automatic renewals of employment authorization for: L-2 spouses of L-1 nonimmigrants and qualifying…
New House Reconciliation Bill Would Exempt Employment-Based Immigrants from Numerical Limitations
A new House reconciliation bill adds new language that could open a path to permanent residency for highly skilled immigrants without waiting for their priority date to become current. The new bill, known as H.R. 5376 “the Build Back Better Act,” is the latest initiative backed by the Biden administration…
Highlights of the America’s Children Act of 2021, Immigration Reform Bill
You have all heard the news. A new House bill has been introduced that if passed would provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States without legal status. But what exactly does the bill include? In this blog post we share with you…
Success Story: EB-2 National Interest Waiver for Developer of Innovative Health and Wellness Application
Can you receive a green card under the EB-2 classification (National Interest Waiver) as the developer of an innovative application that improves the health and wellness of chronically ill U.S. Citizens? In this blog post, we share with you how our office was able to do just that despite initial…
USCIS Conducts Second H-1B Lottery from Previously Submitted FY 2022 H-1B Cap Registrations
Did you participate in the H-1B electronic registration for Fiscal Year 2022? If so, we have some exciting news for you. This morning, July 29, 2021, USCIS announced via its official website that the agency has conducted a second randomized lottery to select additional registrations to reach the Congressionally mandated…
H-1B FY 2022 Lottery is History, Selections have been made and Filings can begin as of April 1, 2021
We are extremely excited to report that USCIS has received enough electronic registrations during the H-1B initial registration period to reach the mandated numerical cap for fiscal year 2022, including for the advanced degree exemption (also known as the master’s cap), and has now selected all registrations eligible to participate…
This Week in Immigration News: H-1B FY 2022 Cap Selection Process Begins, USCIS Extends Flexibility for RFE/NOID Responses, and DOS Update about the Public Charge Rule
Happy Friday! In this blog post, we bring you the latest immigration updates including exciting information about the H-1B cap season for FY 2022 now in full swing, USCIS Flexibility to RFEs/NOIDs and other agency requests, and the Department of State’s update regarding the 2018 Public Charge rule. H-1B Cap…
This Week in Immigration: USCIS Expands Premium Processing to E-3 Petitions, USCIS Introduces Flexibilities for Certain Students Filing Form I-765 for OPT, H-1B FY 2022 Cap Registration Opens March 9th
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! We kick off the start of a brand-new week with some important immigration updates. USCIS Expands Premium Processing Service to E-3 Petitioners We are happy to report that beginning February 24, 2021, petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, who are requesting a change…
H-1B Season Kicks Off: H-1B Electronic Registration Period Opens March 9, 2021 Noon ET FY 2022
The H-1B cap season for FY 2022 is almost upon us! USCIS has announced that the H-1B initial registration period for the FY 2022 cap is scheduled to open at noon ET on March 9, 2021 and will remain open until noon ET on March 25, 2021. As our readers are aware,…