BEYOND THE BASICS HR Solutions for US Immigration By David Swaim, a 30-Year Texas Board-Certified Immigration Attorney
April 2023 Visa Bulletin – Retrogression in Many Categories
</p> The U.S. Department of State has released its Visa Bulletin for April 2023. This Visa Bulletin includes changes in many categories, especially employment-based categories. In addition, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that an applicant for employment-based adjustment of status must use the Visa Bulletin’s Final Action Dates chart to determine […]
USCIS Ended its 60-Day Response Deadline Extension Flexibility
</p> In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 1, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a policy which provided flexibility for responding to requests for evidence, denials, and other requests. For any Request for Evidence (RFE) or any Notice of Intent to Deny, Revoke, Rescind, or Terminate issued by USCIS on […]
USCIS Announces Premium Processing for Certain F-1 Students
In what will be a major relief to F-1 graduates (mostly) and their employers, USCIS has announced Premium Processing, with the required $2,500 fee, is available for OPT (pre and post-completion) as well as the STEM extension. There are some confusing “start” dates which must be followed carefully. For cases (listed above) that are pending […]
H-1 Lottery Registration is Here Again!
In order to register for the H-1 lottery this year, USCIS has issued instructions for you to follow. Below, please note the employer must already have or can immediately set up an account with USCIS. That process is found on the USCIS website, or more importantly, your H-1 attorney can do that for you. Good […]
USCIS Issues Clarifying Guidance for Individuals Authorized to Work Under Special Relief Provisions
</p> USCIS has issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the validity period of employment authorization for F-1 non-immigrant students experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances (also known as special student relief (SSR)) who are work authorized under the SSR provisions of 8 CFR, the Service’s regulations. This clarifies that […]
The Very Questionable Alternative to the H-1 Category
</p> The internet is full of many, many ads for the “EB-5†immigrant visa category (for conditional permanent residence and ultimately regular permanent residence) which is promoted as an alternative to the H-1 process. Some of the “advantages“ include: there is no lottery, no arguments about what is and is not an H-1 position, etc. […]