Keeping you informed on the latest immigration news.
USCIS Resumes H-1B Premium Processing for Certain Cap-Exempt Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has resumed premium processing for certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions as of July 24, 2017. USCIS explained that the H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year. Additionally, there is an annual...
Supreme Court Allows Temporary Exemption for Grandparents, Others From Travel Ban, But Not for Certain Refugees
On July 19, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a temporary exemption of grandparents and other relatives (grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law) of those in the United States from President Donald Trump's...
DHS Increases FY 2017 Limit on H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Workers
The Departments of Homeland Security and Labor issued a "temporary rule" on July 19, 2017, to increase the limit of 66,000 H-2B nonimmigrant visas by authorizing the issuance of up to an additional 15,000 visas through the end of fiscal year 2017. The Departments said...
Sens. Graham, Durbin Introduce Bipartisan ‘Dream Act’
On July 20, 2017, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the "Dream Act," a bipartisan legislative effort that would allow immigrant students who grew up in the United States to earn lawful permanent residence. As of press time, co-sponsors also...
TN Visa Requirements for Registered Nurses
Application Overview To qualify for admission to the United States as a Registered Nurse in the TN (NAFTA Professionals) category, a Canadian or Mexican national must meet the following requirements: Hold a valid Canadian or Mexican passport. Hold a state or...
ESTA: Pre-travel Approval for Visa Waiver Visitors
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, provided they meet certain requirements. Travelers must be eligible to use the VWP and must...
What to Do if Your Green Card Hasn’t Arrived
Whether you filed for adjustment of status in the United States or applied for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, you should receive a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”)-produced green card delivered by the U.S. postal service. The...
The Green Card Quota System Explained
With the exception of the immediate family of U.S. citizens and refugees/asylees, United States green card allocations are subject to two types of quotas and a preference system that prioritizes certain green card categories over others. First, quotas are based on...
Travel while Adjustment of Status is Pending
Nonimmigrants in the United States in most statuses (including B, E, F, J, O, P, R, T, U and TN) who have filed Adjustment of Status ("AOS") applications (I-485) are advised not to travel outside the United States until their Advance Parole applications (I-131) are...
Switching from B Visitor to F-1 Student Status
It is not uncommon for foreign nationals visiting the United States to decide to remain to pursue studies. However, a visitor (B-1 or B-2 visa holder) generally cannot attend school before changing to student status. The recommended process for changing from B to F or...
