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H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2023 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap), including the advanced degree ex...

WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is announcing a trio of efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall legal immigration system. USCIS will set new agency-wide backlog reduction goals, expand premium processing to additional form types, and work to i...

Those applying for either EB-1A extraordinary ability or EB-1B outstanding researcher and professor green cards should note positive changes in the way USCIS evaluates two eligibility criteria. Recently, the USCIS updated its guidance to its EB-1A and EB-1B policy manual as follows: Published ...

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of March 15, 2022, will be eligible for TPS. “This TPS designation will help to protect Af...

In the recently published April Visa Bulletin, the Department of State advanced the Date for Filing (also known as the application date) applications for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status in the employment-based, second preference (EB-2) category for India from Sept. 1, 2013, to Sept. 1, ...

The Department of State (DOS), which heads all U.S. embassies worldwide, recently shared the information below  for Ukrainian national regarding various U.S. visa procedures: Nonimmigrant visa for temporary stays in the U.S.  Other than sponsored work visas, most nonimmigrant visas requir...

The H-1B visa program allows US companies to become employers for foreign employees that are taking on occupations that are specialized. These specialty occupations require the specialized knowledge of the candidate and are seen in positions such as  economist, scientist or engineer. There is a v...

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. “Russia's premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing war, senseless violence, and Ukrainians forced to seek refuge in other countries,” ...

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a new 18-month designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) that will become effective upon publication of an upcoming Federal Register Notice (FRN). DHS also announced the extension and redesignation of South Sudan for TPS fo...

From USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2022. Feb. 25, 2022, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date o...

The Department of Justice today announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with Buddy's Kitchen Inc., a Minnesota-based company that produces and distributes frozen foods. The settlement resolves claims that the company discriminated against non-U.S. citizens based on their citizenship ...

Applicants for adjustment of status receive a special permission to return from international travel called Advance Parole (AP).  If you have an approved, valid AP travel document, you may use it to re-enter the U.S. without a visa.  In fact, most adjustment of status applicants must use an AP tr...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published updated policy guidance to change the maximum validity period that may be granted for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to certain applicants, as well as to provide general guidance on adjudicating Form I-765, Application fo...

From the USCIS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2023 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 18, 2022. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives will...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on how it determines whether a case warrants expedited treatment. The new guidance is effective immediately. The policy update: Clarifies the criteria and circumstances of expedite requests fr...

An applicant for adjustment of status (green card) may have more than one qualifying petition that is the basis for the adjustment of status application (Form I-485). For example, an applicant could have filed an I-485 application based upon an I-140 in the EB-2 category and then obtained an appr...

The Biden administration recently announced the expansion of STEM OPT  to retain and benefit more STEM students. STEM students are F-1 visa students completing a degree in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. OPT stands for optional practical training employment auth...

Ms. Ann Badmus with Badmus & Associates has been elected to membership in the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state...

A recent update has been issued on the USCIS Response to COVID-19 webpage due to the surge of the COVID-19 omicron variant. From USCIS: Due to increased spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19, USCIS field offices may need to reschedule appointments based on local conditions. We will send ...

Processing times for employment authorization documents (EAD) can exceed 8 to 12 months, even for renewals.  On December 28, 2021, the USCIS announced that certain healthcare workers who have a pending EAD renewal application (Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization) are eligible for ...

Most visa applications at U.S. embassies require in-person interview before approval of a non-immigrant visa.  Consequently, visa applicants typically have to schedule a visa appointment, which could be many months away. However, embassies always had some ability or authorization to waive the nee...

While having a green card (permanent residence) allows you to live and work in the United States indefinitely, U.S. citizenship affords you many more rights and benefits. Generally, a permanent resident can apply for citizenship 57 months after their green card is issued (33 months for spouses of...

Regarding natural disasters like the recent tornadoes in Kentucky, the USCIS published this  important reminder: USCIS is reminding the public that we offer immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Examples of unforeseen circumstanc...

H-1B visas authorize highly educated non-citizen professionals to work for U.S. employers in specialty occupations.  Current law limits the number of new H-1B visas issued each fiscal year.  The H-1B quota  for this fiscal year is 65,000 for those who hold at least  a bachelor's degree or its equ...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily waiving the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant files an application for the underlying immigration benefit (including Form I-485...