On May 8, 2024, the U.S. State Department posted the June 2024 visa bulletin. The Dates for Filing Chart for June 2024, as shown below, is more favorable than
Continue Reading June 2024 Visa Bulletin UpdatesPatricia A. Elmas ˘
Patricia A. Elmas’ career spans over 25 years in the legal field, with 23 years of experience in the business immigration and compliance field. Her experience focuses on nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for the business, technology, public relations, managed care, health care, research and entertainment communities, with a focus on obtaining nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for multi-national corporations, start-ups, extraordinary business professionals, and individuals. She leads a team of immigration professionals, supervises and mentors paralegals and provides case management for large volume caseloads for corporate clients. Patty acts as the main liaison for the practice’s case management system, providing input on enhancements and improvements to keep pace with the demands of the practice, and provides training for the same.
Changes to Some Immigration Processes Starting April 1
On April 1, 2024, changes to various immigration processes will take effect, including the following:
- Certain USCIS Forms Take Effect—with No Grace Period. Starting April 1, 2024, U.S. Citizenship
New Procedure for Naturalization Applicants Requesting Social Security Updates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new system for noncitizens applying for naturalization to request an original or replacement Social Security number and card. The system will allow…
Continue Reading New Procedure for Naturalization Applicants Requesting Social Security UpdatesUSCIS Proposes Immigration Fee Increases
On Jan. 4, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a proposed rule that would increase immigration fees. USCIS calls these “modest” increases, but the proposed fee increases are…
Continue Reading USCIS Proposes Immigration Fee IncreasesInterview Requirement Waiver Available for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, certain nonimmigrant visa applicants are now eligible for a waiver of the visa interview requirement. The U.S. Department of State recently announced the following nonimmigrant categories…
Continue Reading Interview Requirement Waiver Available for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa ApplicantsDHS Plans to Increase H-2B Visa Availability for FY 2024
On Nov. 3, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) announced in a temporary final rule that they expect to make available 64,716 additional H-2B…
Continue Reading DHS Plans to Increase H-2B Visa Availability for FY 2024180-Day Extensions for EAD Renewals
As we reported in August 2023, the temporary increase of 540 days to the automatic extension period for employment authorization and employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain renewal applicants expired…
Continue Reading 180-Day Extensions for EAD RenewalsBipartisan Letter from the Senate Urges U.S. State Department to Address Ongoing Visa Delays
The global demand for non-immigrant U.S. visas skyrocketed during the COVID-19 health emergency, when travel was halted and U.S. embassies and consulates closed. Even after reopening, U.S. embassies and consulates…
Continue Reading Bipartisan Letter from the Senate Urges U.S. State Department to Address Ongoing Visa DelaysBiden Administration Lifts Travel Restrictions to Allow Vaccinated Travelers into United States
To advance the safe resumption of global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, on Oct. 25 President Biden issued a Proclamation emphasizing the continued enhanced measures against the spread of the…
Continue Reading Biden Administration Lifts Travel Restrictions to Allow Vaccinated Travelers into United States
The Department of State (DOS) December 2019 Visa Bulletin Released
In the EB-1 category, the Dates of Filing is now current for all countries of chargeability except for China and India. For November, USCIS allowed I-485 filings based on Dates…
Continue Reading The Department of State (DOS) December 2019 Visa Bulletin Released