Confirmed: USICS to Waive Biometrics Requirements for H-4, L-2 and Certain E Status Applications for Period of 2 Years
Update (9/26/2023): USCIS is removing the biometrics requirement (and fee) for all I-539 applications starting October 1, 2023. Details here. USCIS has confirmed policy change that will temporarily suspend the biometrics requirements for certain I-539 applicants for a two-year period beginning on May 17, 2021. The biometrics suspension will apply to the H-4, L-2, and E-1, E-2, and E-3 categories [...]
May 2021 Visa Bulletin – Continued Forward Movement for EB India
The U.S. State Department has just released the May 2021 Visa Bulletin which is the eighth Visa Bulletin for the fiscal year. The headline in the upcoming month’s Visa Bulletin is the continuing significant forward movement for EB-2 and EB-3 India. […]
How to Port and Retain a Pending I-485 to a New Employer Under AC21 – I-485 Supplement J
With many applicants filing (or having filed) adjustment of status (I-485) applications, especially in the EB-2 and EB-3 India and China categories, and due to the fact that there are many I-485 applicants who are hoping to switch jobs, our office has handled numerous AC21 green card porting cases. Many I-485 filers have or will soon be eligible for porting [...]
USCIS Allows Petitioners of Denied H-1Bs Under Now-Rescinded Memoranda to Seek Reopening (and Approval)
USCIS has recently announced that they will allow H-1B petitioners of certain denied H-1B petitions to petition USCIS to reopen (and hopefully, approve) the denial decision in light of certain now-rescinded policy memoranda (third-party worksite placements’ right to control and empoyer-employee relationship and the specialty occupation nature of the computer programmer position). […]
H-1B Cap Season Timelines
As we are in the back end of this year's H-1B work visa “cap” registration season (registration ends at noon ET on March 25th), we wanted to provide a reminder for the remaining steps and timelines for this year's H-1B cap season. As a reminder, the H-1B cap season this year has (1) registration period, (2) lottery/selection and (3) H-1B [...]
H-1B Cap Lottery: Are Chances Going to be Higher Next Year?
As we are just about to enter into this year's H-1B cap lottery registration, we hear a common and interesting question from candidates and employers who are trying to evaluate the chances of selection under the lottery, "Would the chances of H-1B cap lottery selection be higher next year?" The answer is that different groups of candidates are likely to [...]