Achives from Author

Effective Sept. 12, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issued updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the types of evidence that USCIS evaluates to determine eligibility for extraordinary ability (E11) and outstanding professor or researcher (E12) employment-based immigration visa classifications.   The update adds clarifying guidance describing examples of relevant evidence, with […]

On June 8, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that certain eligible Afghan parolees would be considered, on a case-by-case basis, for an extension of their initial period of parole and employment authorization. To be considered for an extension, eligible Afghan parolees must have a pending application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has launched a new online form for individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives to request an in-person appointment at their local field office without having to call the USCIS Contact Center. This online appointment request form allows individuals or legal representatives to request an in-person appointment at a field office only, […]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), today issued new guidance to assist stateless noncitizens in the United States who wish to obtain immigration benefits or have submitted other requests to USCIS. To learn more, click the link: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-issues-guidance-for-stateless-noncitizens-in-the-united-states

In March 2023, USCIS conducted an initial random selection on properly submitted electronic registrations for the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B cap, including beneficiaries eligible for the advanced degree exemption. To learn more about the Second Random Selection, click the link: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-will-conduct-second-random-selection-from-previously-submitted-fy-2024-h-1b-cap-registrations

We have incorporated important information regarding the categories of adjustment of status applicants to whom the public charge ground of inadmissibility applies from the appendices in Volume 8, Part G, of the USCIS Policy Manual, to Chapter 3, Applicability, to make it easier to identify whether the public charge ground of inadmissibility applies to a specific […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that we are expanding myProgress (formerly known as personalized processing times) to Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. myProgress provides applicants with access, in their online account, to personalized estimates of their wait time for major milestones on their case, including […]

On June 28, USCIS launched a new self-service biometric services appointment rescheduling tool on my.uscis.gov. Benefit requestors, and their attorneys and accredited representatives, can now reschedule most biometric services appointments online, without calling the USCIS Contact Center. This is an important step in USCIS’ efforts to use technical solutions to streamline processes and reduce Contact Center […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the expansion of premium processing for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. These applicants will be able to file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, online or via paper form. The premium processing […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today released policy guidance on the eligibility criteria for initial and renewal applications for employment authorization documents (EADs) in compelling circumstances based on existing regulatory requirements at 8 CFR 204.5(p). For an applicant to be eligible for an initial EAD based on compelling circumstances, they must meet the following eligibility […]