Canadian flag
Government of Canada to remove COVID-19 border and travel measures effective October 1
Effective October 1, 2022, all travellers, regardless of citizenship, will no longer have to: Submit public health information through the ArriveCAN app or website; Provide proof of vaccination; Undergo pre- or on-arrival testing; Carry out COVID-19-related quarantine or isolation; Monitor and report if they develop signs or symptoms of COVID-19…
USCIS Updates Guidance for O-1 Petitions with a Focus on STEM Fields
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today updated its Policy Manual to provide further guidance on evidence that can be used to support a petition for an O-1A nonimmigrant of extraordinary ability with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. USCIS clarified that being named on a competitive government grant…
Wilfredo Lee | The Associated Press
People arrive before the start of a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Miami Field Office, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Miami. The USCIS may have to furlough more than 13,000 employees due to COVID-19 and a drop in applications.
USCIS to Implement Second Phase of Premium Processing for Certain Previously Filed EB-1 and EB-2 Form I-140 Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing the second phase of the premium processing expansion for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. Similar to the first phase of the expansion, this phase only applies to certain previously filed Form…
Ukrainian Immigration Program Updates
The US expects to protect almost 60,000 Ukrainians already residing in the US and admit up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion. There are currently two US programs supporting Ukrainians. First, Ukrainians already residing in the US have been offered Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Second, President Biden has…
Urgent Message: Ukrainian Strategies
Ukrainian Strategies Extending your visitor status if you are in the United States legally: If you are in the US as a visitor, in valid visitor status, you can extend that status by filing an Extension of Status through Form I-539. The application and fee must be received by USCIS…
Biden Administration Announces Changes to Attract Entrepreneurs and STEM Talent
In line with Biden Administration statements reflecting a new immigration policy with a focus on attracting STEM talent, encouraging entrepreneurship, and increasing student exchange, USCIS announced changes to the NIW, O-1, and J-1 visa sections of its policy manual on January 21 st . The new guidance appears to expand…
Permissible Work for the Immigrant Student Entrepreneur
It’s 2am on a Monday morning; René is on his 3rd cup of coffee since the Sunday Night Football game ended, and he’s studying for midterms... sort of. His book and notes are off to the side because he and his roommate are working on something that is critical to…
H-1B Lottery Pre-registration Review
With the H-1B lottery season for fiscal year 2023 fast approaching, below is an outline to the H-1B lottery process. The outline will ensure that you have all the information you need so that you are fully prepared and ready for the process:DHS has withdrawn the H-1B selection rule based…
Major Settlement Changes How USCIS Adjudicates Work Permits for Nonimmigrant Spouses
Washington, DC - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and its litigation partners Wasden Banias and Steven Brown, celebrate the historic settlement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Shergill, et al. v. Mayorkas, which provides structural changes for nonimmigrant H-4 and L-2 spouses suffering from long delayed processing times for the…
