About InfoPass In addition to being able to obtain basic case status information or obtain services related to immigration through the USCIS customer service phone line, InfoPass is a free service which allows scheduling an appointment with a USCIS immigration officer by using the Internet. InfoPass is helpful for resolving immigration issues that are best [...]
We have written extensively in the past regarding the January 8, 2010 Neufeld Memo which introduced guidance requiring H-1B applications to show proof of employer-employee relationship between the H-1B petitioner and beneficiary. The Neufeld Memo has affected mostly staffing and consulting companies where the H-1B beneficiaries are employed at third-party worksites. USCIS Sued to Prevent [...]
USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of June 11, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 22,200 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (an increase of only 1,400 over a two-week period). Similarly, as of June 11, there were 9,400 H-1B visas filed subject to [...]
The July 2010 Visa Bulletin was released earlier this afternoon by the State Department. The tenth visa bulletin for the fiscal year 2010 brings some substantial forward movement in the EB-2 India category which had not moved for the past few months. Also, there is some gradual forward across all EB-3 employment-based categories. Summary of the [...]
USCIS has unveiled a substantial redesign of the E-Verify system website. The changes are both in terms of design and functionality. The new E-Verify site will go live on June 13th, and USCIS has advised us that all user accounts will remain valid and active. Graphic Design E-Verify's design has seem to be somewhat of [...]
The Texas Service Center (TSC) recently launched a pilot program pursuant to which employment-based I-485 applicants can facilitate TSC processes relating to specific stages of the employment-based adjustment of status. A special email address has been designated for this purpose: [email protected]. Procedure and Process After sending an email pursuant to this pilot program, applicants will [...]
USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of May 28, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 20,800 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of only 1,200). Similarly, as of May 28, there were 8,700 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters [...]
USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of May 21, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 19,600 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of only 600). Similarly, as of May 21, there were 8,200 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters [...]
DHS Secretary Napolitano announced earlier this week that as of late this summer, the paper Form I-94W (arrival/departure record) for authorized travelers from nations participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will be eliminated. Instead, the arrival/departure information will be stored electronically. After a successful 7-month trial conducted with VWP travelers from New Zealand on [...]
The Department of State (DOS) issued an advance copy of the interim final rule on the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates. The notice was published today at the Federal Register. According to the notice, the new rule will become effective on June 4, 2010 (15 days [...]