The U.S. Department of State has recently announced changes to the guidelines for F and M student visas. As of February 23, 2023, students are now permitted to apply for their visas up to 365 days before their program start date, which is a significant improvement from the previous limit of 120 days. The...

Insight with Ashok Vyas: Exploring H-1B Visa Lottery System

In this episode of "Insight with Ashok Vyas," attorneys David Nachman and Ludka Zimovcak explore the complex world of the H-1B visa lottery system. They discuss the impact of the lottery on both individuals and businesses seeking to hire foreign workers, and offer insights...

USCIS has updated its policy on on-site inspections for special immigrant and nonimmigrant religious worker petitions. The Immigration and Nationality Act allows qualified noncitizens to work for a nonprofit religious organization or affiliated organization as a minister or in a religious vocation or occupation. USCIS has the authority to verify evidence submitted with religious...

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced that premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions is now available to those with a pending Form I-765 who wish to request an upgrade. F-1 students in these categories can file their Form I-907 request for premium processing...

પ્રારંભિક H-1B નોંધણીના સમયગાળા દરમિયાન, સંભવિત અરજદારો અથવા તેમના અધિકૃત પ્રતિનિધિઓએ ઇલેક્ટ્રોનિક રીતે દરેક એલિયનનું નામ આપતા અલગ નોંધણી સબમિટ કરવી આવશ્યક છે કે જેના માટે તેઓ H-1B કેપ-વિષય પિટિશન ફાઇલ કરવા માગે છે. જો પર્યાપ્ત સંખ્યામાં નોંધણીઓ પ્રાપ્ત થાય તો પ્રારંભિક નોંધણી અવધિ સમાપ્ત થયા પછી, USCIS H-1B સંખ્યાત્મક ફાળવણી સુધી પહોંચવા માટે...

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued policy guidance on the eligibility criteria for the O-1B nonimmigrant visa classification for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts and extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry. The guidance includes an appendix with examples of evidence that may satisfy the...

U.S. and Canadian Immigration and Nationality Law Newsletter & Updates

The H-1B process is a crucial part of the US workforce that allows US employers to hire highly-skilled foreign workers for specialty occupations. By hiring these workers, employers can fill critical skill gaps, boost innovation, and create new job opportunities for US workers.

The foreign nationals who are in Canada as visitors and who receive a valid job offer will continue to be able to apply for and receive a work permit without having to leave the country. Visitors applying under this public policy who held a work permit within the last 12 months will also continue...

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the validity period of employment authorization for F-1 nonimmigrant students experiencing severe economic hardship due to emergent circumstances, also known as special student relief (SSR). The policy update clarifies that in cases of severe economic hardship...

યુ.એસ. સિટિઝનશિપ એન્ડ ઇમિગ્રેશન સર્વિસિસ (યુએસસીઆઇએસ) એ ઇમિગ્રેશન માટે ચાઇલ્ડ સ્ટેટસ પ્રોટેક્શન એક્ટ (સીએસપીએ) હેઠળ બિન-નાગરિકોની ઉંમરની ગણતરી પર તેની નીતિ માર્ગદર્શિકા અપડેટ કરી છે. 21 વર્ષથી ઓછી ઉંમરના બાળકો તેમના માતાપિતાની મંજૂર વિઝા અરજીના આધારે કાયદેસર કાયમી નિવાસ માટે પાત્ર છે. જો અરજદાર બાળકો ઇમિગ્રેશન પ્રક્રિયા દરમિયાન 21 વર્ષના થાય ત્યારે CSPA ...