Starting Monday, June 26, USCIS will resume premium processing for all H-1B petitions filed for medical doctors under the Conrad 30 Waiver program, as well as interested government agency waivers. As background, the Conrad 30 program allows certain medical doctors to stay in the United States on a temporary visa after completing their medical
USCIS Issues Guidance Regarding Adjustment of Status Application Filing Dates for July 2017
USCIS has determined that for July 2017, the Final Action Dates chart in the Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin must be used for both family-sponsored filings and employment-based preference filings. By way of background, individuals who are present in the United States are eligible to file a Form I-485, Application to Adjust Status in
USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for FY 2017
USCIS has announced that it received over 236,000 H-1B petitions during the filing period for FY2017, which began on April 1, 2016, including petitions filed for the advanced degree exemption. Earlier we anticipated that the numbers would be even higher for FY2017 than the 233,000 H-1B petitions filed in the 2016 cap. While the increased
Department of State Issues May 2016 Visa Bulletin
The Department of State (DOS) has released the May 2016 Visa Bulletin with the Application Final Action Date chart for employment-based applications which reflects some modest movement for some applicants.
The second and third preference categories for China-mainland born applicants had no movement. The second and third preference categories for India move ahead a few
Reminder of Upcoming August 18th TPS Registration Deadline for Nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone
Aug. 18, 2015, is the deadline for eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone to register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which runs from Nov. 21, 2014 through May 21, 2016. Our prior alert includes detailed information on eligibility and the registration process.
Individuals who are granted TPS benefits cannot be removed from the
The Department of Homeland Security Announces Agreement with Canada and Mexico to Create North American Trusted Traveler Network that will Facilitate Travel for Eligible Travelers
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has signed a trilateral agreement with its counterparts Public Safety Canada and the Secretariat of Governance of Mexico to create a North American Trusted Traveler program that will permit pre-approved, low-risk travelers to participate in expedited screening programs at international airports to facilitate travel across the continent.
Under the
Department of Labor Provides Guidance on Prevailing Wage Surveys for H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 Programs
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) recently issued Round 3 of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding prevailing wages. The newly released FAQs, provide guidance on how to complete the underlying Labor Condition Application (LCA) on ETA Form 9035/9035E required for the H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visa petitions.
In instances where the OFLC Online Wage Library does not provide a leveled wage for a specific geographical area and occupational code, the new FAQs provide guidance on how to complete section G of the ETA Form 9035/9035E for the Employment and Prevailing Wage Information.Continue Reading Department of Labor Provides Guidance on Prevailing Wage Surveys for H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 Programs