The Department of State (DOS) February 2022 Visa Bulletin will move forward six months for EB-2 India and about one month for EB-2 China.
In the EB-1 category, all countries
Continue Reading February 2022 Visa Bulletin Updates – Advancement for EB-2 India
On July 6, 2021, the Department of State issued guidance extending the validity of certain National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) granted to travelers through U.S. embassies and consulates abroad for those
Continue Reading Department of State Issues Guidance Extending Validity of NIEs
The State Department has once again updated its guidance regarding those who qualify for travel ban exemption. The additional guidance expands the waiver criteria to include individuals who will provide
Continue Reading UPDATE: Waivers and National Interest Exceptions to the Travel bans from Certain Countries
As an update to our previous blog, President Biden signed a Presidential Proclamation on April 30, 2021, that will be effective May 4, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. The Proclamation
Continue Reading President Biden Signs Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Entering US from India
Beginning Tuesday, May 4, 2021, the United States may well restrict travel from India due to the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19 cases in India. If you have employees or family
Continue Reading US Immigration and COVID-19-Related Travel Considerations: Update on Travel to the United States from India
The Department of State (DOS) July 2020 Visa Bulletin shows significant advancements for EB-1 India and slight movement in the majority of employment-based categories.
In the EB-1 category, all countries
Continue Reading July 2020 Visa Bulletin Shows Sizeable Advancement for EB-1 India
On Jan. 29, 2020, USCIS announced that it would be making a significant change to the processing of I-526 Petitions, commonly referred to as EB-5 Petitions. USCIS previously had a policy to adjudicate EB-5 Petitions on a “first-in, first-out” basis. This meant that USCIS was to review and decide EB-5 Petitions based solely on the date the petition was filed with USCIS. Today, USCIS announced that it would change this policy and decide EB-5 Petitions using the “visa availability” approach.
The “visa availability” approach outlined by USCIS would prioritize EB-5 Petitions for adjudication based on whether a visa number is available to the investor. This ties the timing of the decision on the EB-5 petition to whether the investor is subject to visa retrogression based on their country of birth. As a reminder, the employment-based fifth preference category “EB-5” is allotted approximately 10,000 immigrant visas annually. This quota includes principal applicants, as well as spouses and dependent children under 21 years of age. No one country can exceed more than seven percent of the total EB-5 visas available in each fiscal year.
Continue Reading USCIS Announces Significant Change to EB-5 Adjudications Processing
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
On Oct. 17 a fiery debate occurred on the U.S. Senate floor. Two great supporters of immigrants and immigration reform, Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL, Minority Floor Leader) and Mike
Continue Reading Will the Congress Yield – for Immigration Reform?
On July 16, 2019, USCIS determined that for August 2019, the Dates for Filing chart must be used for family-based preference filings, and the Final Action Dates chart must
Continue Reading USCIS Determines Adjustment of Status Filing Dates for August 2019