News Updates

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen? Tips to Successfully Manage the Corporate Immigration Process

08:07 02 October in LAC Blog by Larrabee
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It is not uncommon for our clients to reach out to us and ask for guidance on how best to internally manage the immigration process for its foreign national employees. Some of our clients are just venturing down this path for the first time and others are struggling to manage the internal demands of a growing immigration need within their companies. As a result, we thought it might be helpful to provide some general guidance on the challenges and the best practices we see on daily basis from the interaction with our clients which range in size from small startups...

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NAFTA Renegotiations – Update

18:08 10 October in News Updates by Larrabee
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Below is a brief update on the renegotiations of NAFTA that have taken place between the U.S., Canada and Mexico: On September 30, 2018, the U.S., Canada and Mexico reached an agreement, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).  This agreement is not yet finalized as there are a number of procedural steps that will need to take place in each country before it can be implemented as law.  In the meantime, all provisions of NAFTA remain in effect. On the immigration front, there were very minor changes made and at this point in the renegotiation process the USMCA will not change...

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2020 DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY – ONLINE ENTRY PERIOD

21:26 03 October in News Updates by Larrabee
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Begins at Noon EDT on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 Ends at Noon EST on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (also known as the Green Card or DV Lottery) provides immigrant visas each fiscal year for persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Essentially, this program provides certain nationalities with the opportunity to win the chance to apply for a green card, without having to qualify in one of the family-based or employment-based categories. For fiscal year 2020, 50,000 diversity visas will be available. There are various bills pending before Congress which call for the...

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Approved and Pending H-1B Cap Petitions as of October 1, 2018

21:42 28 September in News Updates by Larrabee
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October 1st marks the date when H-1B petitions filed under the annual cap are set to take effect.  This year is somewhat different as a large number of H-1B petitions remain pending with USCIS.  Below are some important reminders for approved H-1B petitions and options for petitions that remain pending. Reminders for Approved H-1B Petitions         Work authorization must be re-verified on Form I-9 to reflect an employee's H-1B status.       F-1 students are not normally subject to Medicare and Social Security withholdings, but H-1B nonimmigrants are.  Therefore, adjustments to payroll withholdings may be required for F-1 students whose status...

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Premium Processing Fee to Increase October 1, 2018

18:05 04 September in News Updates by Larrabee
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published notice today that it is increasing the premium processing fee charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  DHS is increasing the fee by 14.92 percent, which reflects the percentage change in inflation since the fee was last adjusted in 2010 according to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The adjustment increases the USCIS filing fee from $1,225 to $1,410. The fee increase is effective on October 1, 2018.   Applications postmarked on or after that date must include the new fee. Additional information on the USCIS Premium Processing Service  Should you have any questions,...

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USCIS Extends and Expands Suspension of Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions

15:01 29 August in News Updates by Larrabee
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USCIS is extending the previously announced temporary suspension of premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions. The previously announced suspension of premium processing for fiscal year 2019 cap-subject H-1B petitions was originally slated to last until Sept. 10, 2018, but that suspension is being extended through an estimated date of Feb. 19, 2019. In addition, beginning Sept. 11, 2018, USCIS will be expanding this temporary suspension to include certain additional H-1B petitions.  USCIS expects that these suspensions will also last until Feb. 19, 2019. Which Cases are Affected? As of Tuesday, September 11, 2018, premium processing requests will not be accepted for: -      H-1B change...

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USCIS Updates Guidance on Unlawful Presence Accrual for F, M and J Nonimmigrants

17:53 14 August in News Updates by Larrabee
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USCIS Updates Guidance on Unlawful Presence Accrual for F, M and J Nonimmigrants U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued revised and final guidance on the accrual of unlawful presence for students and exchange visitors. The memo issued August 9, 2018 updates the guidance issued on May 10, 2018 regarding the accrual of unlawful presence for F, M and J nonimmigrants. The new guidance is effective as of August 9, 2018, and supersedes prior memoranda. The major change from the memorandum issued on May 10, 2018 is that if a student who is out of status timely files an application for...

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