Today, September 18, 2017, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) resumed premium processing for all H-1B visa petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 cap. The FY 2018 cap has been set at 65,000 visas. Premium processing has also resumed for the annual 20,000 additional petitions that are set aside to hire workers with a U.S. master’s degree
ICE Operation Mega, September 17, 2017, Except in field office areas impacted by hurricanes. On the evening of Thursday, September 8th, NBC News reported that Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) had plans to conduct a mass nationwide immigration enforcement operation from mid- to late- September known internally as “Operation Mega.” NBC reported that the series of sweeps – “the largest
https://www.facebook.com/barackobama/posts/10155227588436749 On 9/5/17, President Barack Obama released a statement criticizing the repeal of DACA, stating that “This is about whether we are a people who kick hopeful young strivers out of America, or whether we treat them the way we’d want our own kids to be treated. It’s about who we are as a people – and who we want
https://www.uscis.gov/news/uscis-approves-10000-u-visas-7th-straight-fiscal-year For the 8th straight year, USCIS has approved the congressionally mandated annual limit of 10,000 petitions for U nonimmigrant status for victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement authorities. USCIS will continue to review pending petitions for eligibility for potential visa issuance when more visas become available. October 1, 2016 marked the first day of fiscal year 2017,
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-09-05/pdf/2017-18653.pdf Department of State posted a Federal Register 60-day notice and request for comments on a new eMedical system into which panel physicians will input visa applicants’ medical exam information. DOS anticipates a full rollout by the end of 2018. Comments are due 11/6/17. (82 FR 42010, 9/5/17) “Approved panel physicians will be granted access to an eMedical system by
CBP Deploys Biometric Exit Technology to Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced on August 8, 2017 the deployment of facial recognition biometric exit technology to McCarran International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas for one daily flight from the United States to Guadalajara, Mexico. Using the flight manifest, CBP builds a flight specific photo gallery using
The I-140 Final Rule updates, improves, and clarifies DHS regulations consistent with policy guidance. The I-140 Final Rule provides that a nonimmigrant visa holder (H, E, L, O, TN) is not considered out of nonimmigrant status solely on the basis that the employment on which the classification was based has ceased, for up to 60 consecutive days or until the
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Embassy in Bern announced on February 1, 2017, the expansion of Global Entry to citizens of Switzerland. Global Entry, a CBP Trusted Traveler Program, allows for expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Swiss citizens can begin applying for Global Entry on February 1, 2017 following clearance from the Swiss Federal
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is an administrative program that could end by executive order at any time. At this time, we do not know what the future of the DACA program holds. President Trump has pledged to end the DACA initiative. However, he has taken no such action. Some organizations are advising people to refrain from applying for
https://www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo The USCIS Announcement for September 2017 states that both family-based and employment-based adjustment of status applicants must use the “Final Action Dates” chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin. https://travel.state.gov/
The employers’ step-by-step guide to
THE H1-B PROCESS
FY2024
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