We are currently in the filing phase of this year's cap-subject H-1B season. As we send out completed forms for review and signature, we often receive questions about how the beneficiary was selected in the registration lottery. During H-1B registration, a beneficiary may qualify for the Master's cap exemption as long as they have or will have attained a US master's degree at the time of H-1B...
USCIS just released data on the I-918 U Visa approval and denial rates by petitioner state and year from FY2016 to FY2020. The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. In order to be eligible for a U visa,...
Below is a helpful flyer for LPRs returning from extended stays overseas. Please also see our related post: Potential Issues Faced by Returning LPRs after Extended Stays Overseas
Update Post June 15, 2021 Due to covid, there’s a significant backlog for immigrant (IV) and nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants waiting a visa interview. U.S. embassies and consulates are using a tiered approach to triage IV applications based on the category of immigrant visas as they resume and expand processing. Scheduling of appointments are prioritized as follows: TIER 1: Immediate...
Great news for those whose I-485s were rejected after many months of waiting caused by delays at USCIS and USPS postal. USCIS has been sending invitations to some applicants to re-file after their previously filed I-485s (filed between 10/01/2020 and 12/31/2020) were rejected due to incorrect responses to Item Numbers 9.a, 9.b, 9.c, or 10. Below is a sample invitation notice to refile. Note that...
USCIS announced today that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file online if they are filing under one of these categories: (c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT;(c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and(c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students. Keep in mind that the online I-765 is only for OPT. If one files...
Those who just won the H-1B lottery will receive some more good news. Cap gap Extension is a benefit that many F-1 students take advatange of as a beneficiary of a receipted H-1B petition. The benefit helps those whose F-1 status is expiring between April 1 and September 29, and extends their F-1 and, if eligible, OPT to September 30 so that there is no gap between the end of their F-1 and the...
Update April 1, 2021 DOS has just provided an update on its website. Visa applicants who have not yet been interviewed or scheduled for an interview will have their applications prioritized and processed in accordance with existing phased resumption of visa services guidance. Visa applicants who were previously refused visas due to the restrictions of Presidential Proclamation...
Update3 March 30, 2021 We are all bit shocked by the lottery results. Our selection rate is just over 20% which is a record low. I don't believe we have ever touched 39% in all of the previous lottery years. So this made us pause a little and wonder what's really going on with the registration this year. We've checked with clients who did the registration on their own and it seems like so far...
Below are some takeaways from AILA regarding the Department of State's first "chat with Charlie" held on 3/17/2021 on the U.S. Department of State: Consular Affairs YouTube channel. This will be a recurring monthly segment where Charlie Oppenheim responds to the public’s questions regarding the Visa Bulletin. Debut of Chats with Charlie!The State Department’s inaugural engagement “Chats...
