Blog Archives

Security Enhancements to the Visa Waiver Program

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that beginning today, Visa Waiver Program (VWP) applicants will be required to provide additional information when applying through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). With the additional data requirement, DHS expects

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Policy Update: USCIS Includes Gestational Mothers Under the Definition of "Natural Mother"

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy to include gestational mothers, using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), under the definition of a “natural mother,” provided that she is also the legal mother at the time of birth.

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November 2014 Visa Bulletin Is Out: EB-2 India Retrogressed (As Anticipated)

The State Department has released the November Visa Bulletin. As noted last month, EB-2 India retrogressed due to heavy demand. The current EB-2 cut-off date is now February 15, 2005, retrogressing from May 1, 2009 (a total of over 4

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New E-Verify Tool for Employees

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduces myE-Verify, a new online tool which gives workers the ability to create and manage secure accounts when participating in the E-Verify program. It will be initially available in Arizona, Idaho, Colorado, Mississippi,

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USCIS Introduces Form I-9 Webinar On-Demand

On September 25, 2014, USCIS published the first Form I-9 Webinar On-Demand. Now you can watch the free Form I-9 webinar at any time. Choose the chapters of your choice or watch the entire 22 minute video in one sitting.

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14 Ports of Entry Designated for Optimized Processing of First-Time Canadian TN & L-1 Applicants

Beginning in mid-September, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is optimizing processing for first-time Canadian TN and L applicants seeking entry into the United States under NAFTA. CBP has designated ports of entry that will ensure a more efficient approach

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October 2014 Visa Bulletin Is Out: EB-2 India Retrogression Anticipated

The State Department released the October Visa Bulletin. EB-3 (excluding India and mainland China) advances by 6 months, while EB-3 mainland China advances by 5 months. The State Department also notes that: INDIA Employment-based Second Preference: Increased demand will require

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Special Ebola Outbreak-Related Immigration Relief Measures

USCIS offers special immigration relief to Nationals of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, who are currently in the United States, in connection with the Ebola Outbreak. Immigration relief measures that may be available if requested include: • Change or extension

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UPDATE: DOS and CBP Issue Procedures to Facilitate Travel for Visa Applicants Affected by CCD Outages

Following the global systems-wide “crash” of the State Department’s (DOS) Consular Consolidated Database (CCD) (a system critical to visa issuance operations), there have been widespread delays in nonimmigrant visa issuance worldwide. As a result, in conjunction with the DOS, U.S.

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Update on the Passport and Visa System Technical Problems

The Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Consular Affairs has been experiencing technical problems with its passport/visa system since July 19th. This issue is worldwide and is not specific to any particular country, citizenship document, or visa category. This systems

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