H-1B Extension Does Not Automatically Extend H-4 Status

Navigating the United States immigration system can be complicated, particularly when it comes to work visas and their dependent visas. One such situation arises when an H-1B visa holder extends their status, but what does this mean for their H-4 dependents? In this blog, we will discuss the implications of an H-1B status extension on…

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Religious Workers Site Visit Policy Changes

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on March 2, 2023, issued a policy memo that updates the way it conducts site visits for religious worker visas. The changes are aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the inspection process while continuing to ensure compliance with program requirements. In this blog, we will…

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F-1 OPT Premium Processing now available

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will gradually expand its premium processing services to the F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) category in the coming weeks. This is a significant step toward improving the efficiency of the process and assisting foreign students in obtaining OPT status as soon as possible. After…

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Travel Visa Denial: Common Reasons & how to Avoid them

As the world becomes increasingly globalized, people are frequently traveling for business, pleasure, and other purposes. Obtaining a visa, on the other hand, can be a complex and sometimes intimidating process, and it can be especially frustrating if your visa application is denied. In this blog post, we will look at the most common reasons…

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Travel issues for Canadian working in Cannabis industry

Cannabis has been legalized in Canada since 2018 for both medical and recreational purposes. As a result, Canada’s cannabis industry has expanded significantly, creating new job opportunities for Canadians. Individuals working in the cannabis industry, on the other hand, may face unique challenges when visiting the United States. Marijuana remains illegal under US federal law,…

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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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Pilot Program for H & L Visa Renewal in the US

The H-1B & L-1 visas are most popular visas for foreign workers in the United States. When it comes time to renew the visa, however, foreign workers have traditionally been required to leave the country and apply for a new visa at a US consulate abroad. This procedure can be time-consuming, costly, and inconvenient for…

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Understanding 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) Determination

212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) is a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that outlines the criteria for inadmissibility of foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the United States. This section relates to determining whether a foreign national is likely to become a “public charge[1]” in the United States or not having proper paperwork to…

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Timelines for filing H-1B under “Master’s Cap”

As the fiscal year 2024 (FY2024) H-1B cap season begins, foreign nationals and employers should be aware of some important details about the H-1B advanced-degree exemption, also known as the “master’s cap“. Those who are eligible for the master’s cap can take advantage of this exemption; however, if a petition is filed under the master’s…

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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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