The State Department is in the process of resolving technical problems with its visa systems which have been down since June 9th, 2015. U.S. embassies and consulates around the world have not been able to issue visas since then. The…

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with its overseas passport and visa systems around the world. This means that all U.S. embassies and consulates are currently unable to print nonimmigrant visas (and immigrant…

On May 22, 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its May 19 alert concerning the suspension of premium processing for any H-1B extension petitions. The original guidance created much confusion as to what kinds of cases were…

On May 20, 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a guidance for eligible H-4 dependent spouses who want to apply for employment authorization under the “Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses” final rule. The information is…

Starting May 26, 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B extension petitions until July 27, 2015. During this time frame, petitioners will not be able to file an extension of the…

USCIS Update: USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for FY 2016 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 7, 2015 that it has received enough H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 visas for…

Beginning May 26, 2015, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept Form I-765, Employment Authorization applications from H-4 spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. Eligible individuals include certain H-4 dependent spouses…

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is considering a “Known Employer” pilot program to streamline adjudication of certain types of employment-based immigration benefit requests filed by eligible U.S. employers. The program would ideally make adjudications more efficient and less costly,…

  FACT SHEET: IMMIGRATION ACCOUNTABILITY EXECUTIVE ACTION The President’s Immigration Accountability Executive Actions will help secure the border, hold nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants accountable, and ensure that everyone plays by the same rules. Acting within his legal authority, the…

As of November 12, 2014, the National Visa Center (NVC), which is responsible for the collection of visa application fees and supporting documentation for immigrant visa petitions, no longer requires original civil documents (such as birth, marriage, and police certificates)…