News Updates

FY 2023 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 1

19:09 28 January in News Updates by Larrabee

USCIS Announces FY2023 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Will Open on March 1 KEY DATES: February 21 Employers may create new accounts March 1 to March 18 Registrations for individual beneficiaries (employees) may be submitted March 18 to March 31 USCIS will conduct lottery and notify account holders of selections USCIS PRESS RELEASE: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2023 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 18, 2022. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to complete and submit their registrations using our...

IMMIGRATION UPDATE 1.24.2022

20:13 24 January in News Updates by Larrabee

IMMIGRATION UPDATE - January 24, 2022 HEADLINES 1. Biden Administration Implements New Actions to Increase Opportunities for STEM Students, Professionals, Others – Highlights of the new actions announced by the Departments of Homeland Security and State are summarized. 2. USCIS Notes 'Exceptionally High Number' of Employment-Based Green Cards Available This Fiscal Year – USCIS said many more visas are available in the first (priority workers) and second (workers with advanced degrees of exceptional ability) employment-based green card categories than there are adjustment of status applications pending with USCIS. 3. State Dept. Issues Final Rule Allowing Certain Fee Exemptions –The Department is allowing an exemption...

What is the New COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Land Border Travel to the United States from Canada and Mexico?

18:35 21 January in News Updates by Larrabee

Starting tomorrow, January 22, 2022, people entering the United States from Canada or Mexico by land or ferry for essential or non-essential activities, are required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. This does not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and U.S. nationals. Also exempt from the vaccine requirement for land/ ferry entry to the U.S. from Canada and Mexico are: Children under 18; Foreign nationals with medical contraindications to receiving a COVID-19 vaccine; Foreign nationals with valid nonimmigrant visas (excluding B-1 or B-2 visas) who are citizens of a country with limited COVID-19 vaccine availability, as specified by...

IMMIGRATION UPDATE 1.19.2022

20:35 19 January in News Updates by Larrabee

IMMIGRATION UPDATE - January 19, 2022 HEADLINES IMMIGRANT VISA BULLETIN February Visa Bulletin Warns of High Demand in Employment Fourth Category, Notes Upcoming Expiration of SR Religious Workers Category – High demand in the employment fourth preference category may necessitate the establishment of a worldwide final action date in the coming months. Also, no SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after February 17, 2022, and all individuals seeking admission as a non-minister special immigrant must be admitted into the U.S. by February 17, 2022. USCIS ADJUDICATIONS USCIS Clarifies Guidance on O-1 Nonimmigrants...

May I apply online to extend or change my nonimmigrant status?

21:23 10 January in LAC Blog by Larrabee

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows for electronic filing of certain applications for immigration benefits, including certain Forms I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. The agency claims that this will get your application into their processing queue faster than mail delivery. Given the significant case backlog, any changes that lead to faster processing are welcome. Does this apply to all I-539 applications? No. You can utilize online I-539 filing option only if you are looking to extend your status or change your nonimmigrant status to the following categories (B-1/B-2, H-4, E dependent spouse, TD, J-1, J-2. L-3, K-4, L-2, M-1,...

LAC Update: FY2023 H-1B CAP FILINGS

23:08 05 January in News Updates by Larrabee

The filing window for registration to seek an FY2023 (10/1/2022 to 9/30/2023) H-1B cap-subject or quota number will likely open in March 2022. The earliest start date of employment for selected and approved petitions will be October 1, 2022. What are the H-1B quota limitations? Regular cap (Bachelor's degree): 58,200 Regular cap, Citizens of Chile: 1,400 Regular cap, Citizens of Singapore: 5,400 Master's cap exemption (Master's degree or higher from a U.S. university): 20,000 Which individuals may need cap-subject H-1B sponsorship? F-1 students currently working pursuant to Optional Practical Training (OPT) Individuals in TN status (pursuant to the U.S. Canada Mexico Agreement – formerly NAFTA -- Treaty) Individuals who...

IMMIGRATION UPDATE 1.03.2022

23:11 03 January in News Updates by Larrabee

IMMIGRATION UPDATE - January 3, 2022 HEADLINES INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL / VISA STAMPING 1. Restrictions on Travelers From Southern African Countries Lifted December 31, 2021 – Affected countries include Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. 2. U.S. Passport Fees Rose December 27 – The fee for a U.S. passport book increased by $20, the Department of State announced. 3. CBP Confirms Lifting of Temporary Travel Restrictions Between the United States and Canada, Mexico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection published notices on December 23, 2021, announcing the lifting on November 8, 2021, of temporary restrictions that applied to non-essential travel by fully vaccinated...

IMMIGRATION UPDATE – 12.30.2021

18:47 03 January in News Updates by Larrabee

Important Announcement on Waivers of the Interview Requirement for Certain Nonimmigrant Visas The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has authorized consular officers through the end of 2022 to waive the in-person interview requirement for certain temporary employment nonimmigrant visa applicants who have a petition approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This new authorization applies to temporary workers applying for H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visas who meet certain conditions, including that they are applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence. Under this authority, consular officers have discretion to...

IMMIGRATION UPDATE 12.15.2021

20:10 15 December in News Updates by Larrabee

IMMIGRATION UPDATE - December 15, 2021 HEADLINES USCIS Submits Final Rule to Expand the Premium Processing Service to the OMB for review – On December 8, 2021 USCIS submitted a final rule to expand premium processing to include additional case types to the Office of Management and Budget, advancing it to the next steps of publication and implementation. USCIS Temporarily Waives 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures – USCIS is temporarily waiving, until September 30, 2022, the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant files an application...

Business Immigration Law and Policy 2021 Year in Review – Complimentary Webinar

16:34 01 December in News Updates by Larrabee

Please join us via Zoom on December 13, 2021, 12:00pm – 1:30pm PST, where Partners Diana Vellos Coker and Teodora D Purcell will provide a legal immigration update and review the major policy changes in 2021. What to Expect The immigration landscape continued to evolve in the United States over the course of 2021 with President Biden taking office and the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. We will discuss the major policy changes and developments in U.S. business immigration, developments in the dynamic area of international travel, and their impact on U.S. employers and foreign national employees. We will focus on the latest U.S. entry requirements in preparation...