By: Jake Campbell and Weijia (Victoria) Ma
Seyfarth Synopsis: The below summarizes recent legal updates that impact U.S. immigration:
1. FY2024 H-1B Cap Registration
On March 27, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that initial registration was complete and that all prospective petitioners with selected registrations selected in
Continue Reading April 2023 U.S. Immigration AlertBy: Victoria Ma
Seyfarth Synopsis: In its continued efforts to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall immigration system, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and
Continue Reading USCIS Expands Premium Processing Eligibility to Certain F-1 Students Seeking OPT or STEM OPT Extensions and Makes Online Filing AvailableBy: Jake Campbell and Victoria Ma
Seyfarth Synopsis: The below summarizes recent legal updates that impact U.S. immigration:
1. H-1B Cap Registration is Live
H-1B cap registration opened on March 1, 2023 at noon EST and closes on March 17, 2023 at noon EST. Employers should be prepared to submit
Continue Reading March 2023 U.S. Immigration AlertBy: Jake Campbell
Seyfarth Synopsis: U.S. immigration agencies have started 2023 at full steam and have issued numerous legal updates. The below will provide a summary of these updates that occurred in January 2023:
USCIS announced that this year’s cap registration
Continue Reading February 2023 U.S. Immigration AlertBy: Mia Batista, Steven R. Brouillard, and Victoria Ma
Seyfarth Synopsis: H-1B Registration is approaching! Employers should identify any current employees and employment candidates who may require H-1B visa sponsorship.
This Legal Update is intended to assist employers with understanding the general process of the H-1B electronic registration
Continue Reading Getting Ready for the FY 2024 H-1B Cap RegistrationBy: Steven Brouillard and Jake Campbell
Seyfarth Synopsis: Starting January 25, 2023, USCIS will adjudicate I-539 and I-765 applications for H-4 and L-2 dependents when those applications are filed concurrently with the I-129 petition. The bundling of those applications applies to both regular and premium processed H-1B or L-1 petitions.
Continue Reading USCIS Agrees to Bundle Adjudication for H-4/H-4 EADs and L-2 Dependent Applications When Filed Concurrently with Form I-129By Steven R. Brouillard and Victoria Ma
Seyfarth Synopsis: On January 12, 2023, USCIS announced the final phase of premium processing expansion for EB-1 Multinational Executive and Manager and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Form I-140 Petitions, as well as steps to expand premium processing for certain I-765 and I-539
Continue Reading USCIS Implements Final Phase of Premium Processing For Multinational Executive/Manager and National Interest Waiver Immigrant Visa PetitionsOn January 4, 2023, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a proposed rule to increase fees for most immigration benefit requests. If implemented, employers will pay significantly more for most nonimmigrant and immigrant filings. The fee increases projects to boost revenues by over $4.5 billion providing USCIS
Continue Reading New Year, New Fees: Proposed USCIS Fee IncreasesBy: Dawn Lurie, Matthew Parker* and Amber Stokes*
As U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) continues to deal with their backlogs, they have announced that, effective September 26, 2022, USCIS is automatically extending the validity of expired Forms I-551, Permanent Resident Card ( or “PRC”), commonly known as a
Continue Reading Treats from USCIS to LPRs: Green Card Validity ExtensionBy: Dawn M. Lurie
On June 9, 2021 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advised the public about its recent updates to the USCIS Policy Manual. Specifically, the USCIS updates:
Continue Reading Moving in the Right Direction: USCIS Issues Updated Policy Manual Guidance