U.S. State Department to Launch Pilot Program for Domestic Visa Renewals The U.S. State Department is planning to launch a pilot program that would allow H-1B specialty occupation workers and other temporary visa holders to renew their visas in the U.S. The State Department will start with H and L visa holders and could eventually [...]

New USCIS Policy Update for Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) Age Calculation On February 14, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has updated its policy manual on the calculation of noncitizen's age under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) for immigration purposes.   What is the Child Status Protection Act? Under [...]

USCIS Announces Final Phase of Premium Processing Expansion On January 12, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it is implementing the final phase of its expansion of premium processing for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. This phase will apply to new (initial) petitions, in addition [...]

COVID-19 Restrictions Return for Travelers from China, Hong Kong, and Macau   Effective Jan. 5, 2023, COVID-19 travel restrictions are back for those traveling to the United States from China, Hong Kong, or Macau. Individuals will have to show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test or of recovery from COVID-19 upon entry.   Who Does [...]

USCIS Extends Green Card Validity for Conditional Permanent Residents with Pending I-751 and I-829 Forms On January 23, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will be extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (i.e., Green Cards) for petitioners who filed Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence or Form I-829, [...]

Public Charge Rule   On December 23, 2022, the revised Public Charge Rule went into effect. This means all adjustment of status postmarked (or submitted electronically, if applicable) on or after that date, will be subject to the “new” public charge ground of inadmissibility under section 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).   [...]

DHS Implements New Processes for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans and Eliminates Cap for Venezuelans On January 5th, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new process that will provide Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans who are outside of the U.S., a safe, lawful and streamlined way to come to the U.S. by air and work temporarily. [...]

Extension of Interview Waiver for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applications December 23, 2022 In an effort to facilitate nonimmigrant travel and reduce the wait times for nonimmigrant visas, the Department of State (DOS) announced an extension of the waiver of in-person interviews to certain nonimmigrants through to December 31, 2023. The waivers will be authorized by [...]

USCIS Introduces New Edition of I-485 Application As of December 23, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new edition of the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status that they will start accepting. Anyone submitting an I-485 that is post-marked on or before December 22nd will be accepted, [...]

Vaccination and Testing Policy for International Flights Entering the U.S.  All non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants traveling to the U.S. by air are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Only limited exceptions apply. Learn more about this requirement and accepted vaccines.   If you are not fully vaccinated and allowed to travel to the U.S. by air through an exception, you will [...]