Updated Posts 01/21/2022
H-1B Processing Update
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Waivers of interviews for certain Nonimmigrant Visas until 12/31/2022
On December 23, 2021, the Department of State has authorized consular offices through the end of 2022 to waive the in-person interview requirement for additional visa types including temporary workers applying for H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q who meet certain conditions. Consular officers have the discretion to waive the interview requirement for individuals applying for these visa types that...
Healthcare workers may request expedited processing of their pending Form I-765s (EADs)
Update 10/20/2022 On 10/20/2022, USCIS extended this flexibility. If you're a healthcare/childcare worker and have a pending I-765 that has been pending for over 90 days, you may request expedited processing. See below for definitions of a healthcare/childcare worker. Original Post 12/28/2021 On December 28, 2021, USCIS issued guidance allowing healthcare workers to request expedited processing...
USCIS Temporarily Waiving 60-Day Rule For I-693 Signatures
On December 9, 2021, USCIS announced that it 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 (such as I-485). In October 2020, many applicants could not file their I-485 applications in October due to civil...
Suspension of Visitors From South Africa And Surrounding Countries Due To Risk of Transmitting Omicron Variant
Due to the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the white house has issued a proclamation barring the entry of nonimmigrant/immigrant visitors who were physically present in the following countries: Republic of BotswanaKingdom of EswatiniKingdom of LesothoRepublic of MalawiRepublic of MozambiqueRepublic of NamibiaRepublic of South AfricaRepublic of Zimbabwe This proclamation is...
Settlement Reached: H-4 EAD Renewals Now Also Qualifies For Automatic 180-Day extension and L-2s Get Work Authorization Without EAD.
Update May 12, 2022 On Nov. 12, 2021, USCIS issued a policy announcement to clarify that it will consider E and L spouses to be employment authorized based on their valid E or L nonimmigrant status. Since the November 2021 announcement, the Department of Homeland Security added new Class of Admission (COA) codes to distinguish between E and L spouses and children. As of Jan. 30, 2022, USCIS and...
USCIS May Accept Secondary Evidence When Adjudicating I-485 Under LRIF
USCIS issued a policy alert on 10/29/2021 to help some Liberian Nationals in meeting the filing deadline (12/20/2021) for Adjustment of Status under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) law. LRIF allows certain Liberian nationals and their spouses, unmarried children under 21 years old, or unmarried sons and daughters 21 years or older living in the United States who meet the...
Individuals From Hong Kong May Apply For Employment Authorization
Update Post May 22, 2023 Eligible Hong Kong residents may apply for EADs through Feb. 5, 2025. On Jan. 26, 2023, President Biden issued a memorandum extending and expanding DED for certain Hong Kong residents for 24 months. Eligible Hong Kong residents covered under DED as of Jan. 26, 2023, may remain in the United States through Feb. 5, 2025, and are eligible to work in the United States. USCIS...
USCIS May Lose Your RFE Response
Yes, it's true that your filings may get lost after they've been delivered to USCIS. In our experience, it's extremely rare for USCIS to lose a package after it has been delivered to its facility. Oftentimes, it's the carrier that may have lost/damaged the package while on route to USCIS. This may happen due to no fault of anyone such as extreme weather or a car accident. For time-sensitive...
Tip Sheet On How To Communicate with the USCIS Contact Center More Effective
The CIS Ombudsman has released a guide to help customers better navigate the USCIS Contact Center. Helpful tips include: When does it make sense to reach out to the USCIS Contact Center?What else can I do in my online account to bypass the USCIS Contact Center?How can I make sure I get my call returned?How can I make sure I don’t miss a return call?What constitutes an emergency?I need to...