On October 3, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will begin accepting premium processing requests for all categories of H-1B petitions. In March 2017, USCIS had suspended the premium processing program for H-1B petitions, citing the need to reduce its overwhelming processing backlog. Over the past several months, USCIS phased
H-1B Backlog
Expansive Final Rule Affecting Employment-Based Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Programs Published – good news for H-1B visa holders and those seeking permanent residency
On November 18, 2016, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule to “improve aspects of certain employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa programs.” This final rule also “amended regulations to better enable U.S. employers to hire and retain certain foreign workers who are beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions and are waiting…
CIS to Temporarily Suspend Premium Processing for H-1B Extension Petitions from 5/26/15 – 7/27/15
By Alka Bahal on
Today USCIS announced that starting May 26, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B Extension of Stay petitions until July 27, 2015. During this time frame, petitioners will not be able to file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for a Form I-129, Petition for a…
Employment Authorization (EAD) available for Certain H-4 Spouses as of May 26, 2015
Today, February 24, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director León Rodríguez announced that, as of May 26, 2015, certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status will be eligible for employment authorization. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has amended the regulations to allow these…