Breaking News

This category is updated daily on interesting U.S. immigration news pertaining to family immigration, employment immigration and other immigration issues. The updates are meant to quickly keep our readers aware of the ever changing immigration laws and all the related aspects. For more information check our entire website on specific topics. Note that this blog does not cover all aspects of immigration news.

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H-1B Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Cap Season

WASHINGTON – On April 1, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2017 cap. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming. The congressionally mandated cap on H-1B visas for FY 2017 is 65,000. The first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher are exempt from the 65,000 cap. USCIS expects to receive more than 65,000 petitions during…Read More Breaking News

Passport Expiry and Extensions Issues.

Recently USCIS has been issuing extensions limited to the dates of the passport validity. Our video is placing an alert on this matter, hoping that people who are filing for their extensions of status on H1b, H4, Ead, F1 visas will make sure they have a good valid passport. This includes but are not limited to extension on H1B, extension on H4, extension on H4 EAD, extension on EADs, extensions on F1 visas and other non immigrant visas.Read More Breaking News

MEDICAL SPECIALISTS MAY QUALIFY FOR PHYSICIAN NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVER

In addition to primary care physicians, medical specialists who agree to practice in any area designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as having a shortage of health care professionals may be eligible for the physician national interest waiver under section 203(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This decision, reached by the Administrative Appeals Office of USCIS, and adopted agency wide by USCIS on March 9, 2016, establishes new guidelines for who is eligible for the physician national interest waiver. “Visas shall be made available . . . to qualified…Read More Breaking News

Medical Specialists May Be eligible for the physician national interest waiver.

Medical specialists who agree to practice in any area designated as a health care shortage area may be eligible for the physician national interest waiver. SUBJECT: Matter of H-V-P-, Adopted Decision 2016-01 (AAO Feb. 9, 2016) This policy memorandum (PM) designates the attached decision of the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) in Matter of H-V-P- as an Adopted Decision. Accordingly, this adopted decision establishes policy guidance that applies to and binds all USCIS employees. USCIS personnel are directed to follow the reasoning in this decision in similar cases. Matter of H-V-P- clarifies that, in…Read More Breaking News

The E2 Visa – Investing in the USA and get an E2 Visa!

One of the option for a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States and invest, they might want to look into an E2 visa. The individual must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The Treaty Investor (E-2) visas are for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation. For a list of participating countries, see link on the video. You must be coming to the United States to: - engage…Read More Breaking News

NEW RULE FOR STEM OPT: EXTENSIONS AND EMPLOYER REQUIREMENTS

On March 11, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security issued a new and final rule: Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students with STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students. WHAT IS OPT? Students who are in the United States on an F visa have the option of working within the United States by performing practical training employment, either during their academic program or upon completion of their program. The two categories of practical training employment are CPT, Curricular Practical Training, and OPT, Optional Practical Training. Either CPT or…Read More Breaking News

Three Difficult Cases Approved!

March 10, 2016 - Congratulations to the Shah Peerally Law Group team regarding three difficult case approval: 1. H1B premium case approved in one week with no Request for Evidence (RFE) 2. H4 EAD with H4 Change of Status from F1 visa approved within 12 weeks including answering the RFE. 3. I-485 adjustment of status EAD approved within eight weeks after filing.Read More Breaking News

April 2015 Visa Bulletin is out!

March 9 2015 - April 2015 Visa Bulletin is out and unfortunately no great movement for India either on the EB2 processing time or EB2 acceptance time. Subscribe to our youtube channel for analysis.   A.  APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for…Read More Breaking News

5 Reasons Not To Celebrate on the New STEM OPT Rule – Effective May 10 2016

The new long awaited Optional Practical Training (OPT ) rule allowing an extension of 24 months for STEM student is out and will be effective as from May 10 2016 when STEM students will be eligible to apply. While the rule is a relief for many, it can actually be also be a ‘headache’ for others. We have tried to explain the new rule of STEM OPT on this video Below are few points that need to be noted regarding the new STEM OPT: 1. The emphasis on Training and Monitoring. “DHS has…Read More Breaking News

Filing a technical IT H1B with no Technical Academic IT background.

March 8, 2016 - With the H1B new Cap season fast approaching, many students are finding it hard to get jobs in their field of study and want to move to an IT position for the H1B. There are many complications in doing this, however it is not impossible. The video below covers the issues related to such a move. Feel free to call us at 510 7425887, should you need any help.Read More Breaking News

Do not Travel on the Cap-Gap (Moving from OPT to H1B)

Travel during Cap-Gap Extension Period A student granted a cap-gap extension who elects to travel outside the United States during the cap-gap extension period, will not be able to return in F-1 status. The student will need to apply for an H-1B visa at a consular post abroad prior to returning. As the H-1B petition is for an October 1 start date, the student should be prepared to adjust his or her travel plans, accordingly.Read More Breaking News