USCIS Issues New Guidance on EB-1 Eligibility Criteria for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability

posted on: October 3, 2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in our Policy Manual to further clarify the types of evidence that we may evaluate to determine eligibility for extraordinary ability (E11) EB-1 immigrant visa classifications. This policy guidance: Confirms that we consider a person’s receipt of team awards under the criterion for lesser nationally or […]

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USCIS Extends Certain Fee Exemptions and Expedited Processing for Afghan Nationals

posted on: September 27, 2024

Today, in continued support of Enduring Welcome, and by congressional directive, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it is extending and expanding some previously announced filing fee exemptions and expedited application processing for certain Afghan nationals. This will help Afghan nationals continue to resettle and, in many cases, reunite with family in the United States. It will enable USCIS to more quickly process requests for long-term status, status for immediate relatives, and […]

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USCIS Makes Additional Updates to Policy Guidance for the “Sought to Acquire” Requirement Under the Child Status Protection Act

posted on: September 25, 2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating guidance in the Policy Manual (Volume 7, Part A, Chapter 7), to clarify how to calculate the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) age for noncitizens who demonstrate extraordinary circumstances. The updated guidance: Clarifies that the CSPA age calculation of an applicant who established extraordinary circumstances and is excused from the “sought […]

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USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 36 Months for Green Card Renewals

posted on: September 18, 2024

Effective Sept. 10, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services automatically extended the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) to 36 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.      Lawful permanent residents who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green Card may receive this extension. Form I-90 receipt notices had […]

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Policy Manual Update: F/M Nonimmigrant Student Classification

posted on: August 27, 2024

We announced today that we are updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding when students may be eligible for optional practical training (OPT) extensions for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. We are also clarifying guidance for F/M nonimmigrant students concerning online study, school transfers, the grace period, and study abroad.  What You Need to Know This guidance, contained […]

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USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Children’s Acquisition of Citizenship

posted on: July 19, 2024

USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Children’s Acquisition of Citizenship USCIS is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding provisions for children’s acquisition of citizenship. We are updating guidance relating to children’s acquisition of citizenship in response to public feedback. We are also updating guidance based on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sessions v. Morales-Santana, 582 U.S. 47 […]

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