H-1B Work Visa
Navigating LCA: Working From Home (Telecommuting)
Over the last few years, the internet has changed the very structure of today’s companies. With a computer and a strong internet connection, associates from across the U.S. and around the globe can now hold strategic meetings and negotiate international deals without having to leave the comfort of the domestic office. For many, the internet…
Read MoreUSCIS Director Responds to Concerns Regarding H-4 EAD Program (DHS to End H-4 EAD)
In early March, 15 members of Congress sent a letter to the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), urging Secretary Nielsen to reconsider the proposal to end the H-4 EAD program. Following an appeals court decision, DHS announced that it would delay its announcement to officially end the program, which allows the spouses of H-1B workers…
Read MoreSTEM OPT Workers: USCIS Website Changes Worksite Guidelines (F-1)
A change to the USCIS website may present a big problem for employers providing training to F-1 students on a visa extension through the STEM OPT work program. Updated early this year, the website provides stricter worksite guidelines for employers of STEM OPT workers. Although there is no explicit legal change to worksite regulations for the…
Read MoreH-1B Visa Applications Fall Again
On April 6th, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that the service had received enough petitions to reach the general H-1B and advanced degree cap for FY 2019. Five days later, on April 11th, USCIS announced the completion of the random computer generated selection for the congressionally mandated cap of 65,000 H-1B petitions and…
Read MoreACICS Regains Accreditation
Following a December of 2016 decision by the U.S. Secretary of Education, the Department derecognized the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, or ACICS, as an agency that can “provide schools with a seal of approval for educational quality.” However, on March 23rd, the U.S. District court for D.C. remanded the decision by Education Secretary…
Read MoreUSCIS Launches New User-Friendly Employment Eligibility Website
Early this month, USCIS launched a new website E-Verify.gov. The website provides employers, employees, and the public an online platform for electronic employment eligibility verification. The new website will help employers and employees to access E-Verify information through a more user-friendly site. Features For years, E-Verify provided employers with the ability to confirm the eligibility…
Read MoreSocial Media Screening Included in State Department Efforts towards ‘Extreme Vetting’
On March 30th, the State Department released a proposal that would greatly slow processing for all visa classifications and provide sensitive data to the State Department officials. In response to the Trump Administration policies towards ‘extreme vetting’ of foreign nationals entering the United States, the State Department announced that it would begin to screen the social…
Read MoreUSCIS to Destroy Returned Green Cards, EADs, & Travel Documents after 60 Days
USCIS announced recently that, beginning April 2nd, all Permanent Resident Cards, Employment Authorization Cards (EADs), and Travel Documents returned as undeliverable by the United States Postal Service (USPS) will be destroyed after 60 business days unless USCIS is contacted by the recipient. A change of address, without proper reporting to USCIS, could result in a…
Read MoreUSCIS Processing Times Gain Transparency
USCIS recently announced exciting news for those with pending USCIS cases. A new pilot website now offers a user-friendly platform that estimates the processing time for your application. The website is still in the testing stages and will first offer the service to four types of forms. Clearer Processing Times Several factors impact the processing…
Read MoreUSCIS Suspends Premium Processing (H-1B/ FY19)
USCIS announced on March 20th that the service would temporarily end premium processing for all applications subject to the FY19, including cap exemptions for master’s and upper level degree holders. As the April 2nd deadline draws near, USCIS prepares to accept fiscal year 2019, or FY19 H-1B petitions. Due to the extreme traffic of new…
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