USCIS Removes 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeons Signing Medicals

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced a significant change to its policy regarding Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record. Previously, civil surgeons were required to sign Form I-693 no more than 60 days before an individual applied for an underlying immigration benefit, such as Form I-485, Application…

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USCIS Deadlines for Weekend and Holiday Submissions

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced an update to its Policy Manual for filing deadlines to address situations when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. This update aims to increase flexibility for applicants and…

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Interpreter for Visa Interview at a U.S. Embassy in India

Attending a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India can be a challenging experience, especially if you are not comfortable with English or the language spoken by the consular officer. In such cases, requesting an interpreter can help ensure clear communication and a smoother interview process. In this blog, we will guide…

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Updated USCIS Policy for Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) Age Calculation

The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) is a crucial immigration law provision that provides relief to children who would otherwise reach the age of majority and lose eligibility for certain immigration benefits. Under CSPA, the age of a child is “frozen” when the initial application for certain immigration benefits, such as adjustment of status to…

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Redesigned Green Card and EAD to be issued soon

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new designs today to improve the security of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). The redesigned green cards and EAD will be issued by USCIS on January 30, 2023. The new redesigned Green Card and EAD designs use cutting-edge…

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USCIS Extends Green Card Validity for Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it is extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status, for 48 months beyond the…

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USCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities – perhaps a Final Extension

Certain COVID-19-related flexibilities are being extended by US Citizenship and Immigration Services until March 23, 2023. Under these flexibilities, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and March 23, 2023, inclusive, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days of the due date in the following requests or notices before…

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CBP Announces New US Bridge Visa Foil

A visa is a document issued by the U.S. Department of State that allows a foreign national to travel to the United States for various purposes. The visa is typically required to be presented at the port of entry to the United States and is required for the foreign national to be admitted into the…

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USCIS Proposes Fee Increase and Imposition of New Fees

The proposed rule by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to increase fees for most immigration benefit requests is likely to have a significant impact on employers in the United States. If implemented, employers will pay significantly more for most nonimmigrant and immigrant filings. One of the key takeaways for employers from the…

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Cross Chargeability to get your Green Card

Foreign nationals from certain countries hoping to become lawful permanent residents (LPRs) in the United States face extended backlogs due to visa number availability. The number of LPRs that can be granted each year is capped and controlled by limiting the visa numbers that are issued. Each family or employment-based immigrant category has its own…

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