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The Department of Homeland Security’s H-1B final rule and H-2 final rule take effect on Friday, January 17, 2025, modernizing and improving requirements for the H-1B nonimmigrant and H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs. USCIS will also publish a revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (edition date 01/17/25) on Jan. 17, reflecting combined changes associated with the two final rules. As previously […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating our Policy Manual to clarify flexibilities that may be available to benefit requestors during and after an emergency or unforeseen circumstance.  The update explains that during certain emergencies or unforeseen circumstances that may present unanticipated challenges to immigration benefit requestors, we may use our discretion to implement certain flexibilities relating […]

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a final rule that modernizes the H-1B program by streamlining the approval process, increasing its flexibility to better allow employers to retain talented workers, and improving the integrity and oversight of the program. What You Need to Know The H-1B nonimmigrant visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ […]

On Nov. 26, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Federal Register notice designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from Nov. 27, 2024, through May 27, 2026.   This designation allows eligible Lebanese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon) to obtain TPS if they have resided continuously […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

On Aug. 26, 2024, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, in Texas v. Department of Homeland Security, issued an administrative stay, preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from granting parole in place under Keeping Families Together for 14 days.   To comply with the district court’s administrative stay, USCIS will, until further notice:   Not grant any pending parole […]

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 […]

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 […]