USCIS Temporary Office Closure

Posted on March 20, 2020

President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation on April 22, 2020 suspending visa issuance to certain immigrant categories initially for 60 days, and then extended until December 31, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on the U.S. labor market. This Proclamation does not impact beneficiaries who were present in the...

USCIS Response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Posted on March 20, 2020

Effective August 28, as it becomes safe to resume more consular operations at each U.S. mission, posts are authorized to give K visa cases high priority. Applicants should check the website of their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for updates on what services that post is currently able to offer. The I-129F Petition...

USCIS: Initial H-1B Electronic Registration Period Closes March 20

Posted on March 20, 2020

USCIS has received enough electronic registrations during the initial period to reach the FY 2021 H-1B numerical allocations (H-1B cap). USCIS randomly selected from among the registrations properly submitted. USCIS intend to notify petitioners with selected registrations no later than March 31, 2020, that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for...

RELIGIOUS WORKERS – INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAM

Posted on March 20, 2020

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) dictate two separate provisions in relating to religious work:

• Labour market impact assessment (LMIA) exemption (code C50) – paragraph R205(d)
• Work permit exemption for religious leaders – paragraph R186(l)

In some cases, a Foreign National may be eligible under both sections and may choose which one to apply...

CANADA INTRODUCES NEW IMMIGRATION PLANS TO WELCOME PERMANENT RESIDENTS

Posted on March 20, 2020

On March 12, 2020, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, tabled the 2020‒2022 Immigration Levels Plan in the House of Commons. The new Plan will benefit all Canadians because immigration drives economic growth, spurs innovation and helps employers access the talent they need to thrive. Welcoming more newcomers will help to address the demographic...

USCIS: Initial H-1B Electronic Registration Period Closes March 20

Posted on March 20, 2020

The initial electronic registration period for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B numerical allocations will close at noon Eastern on March 20. Registrations must be properly submitted before noon Eastern on March 20 to be considered in the initial selection process.

If USCIS receives enough registrations during the initial registration period, USCIS will randomly select...

Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification ANNOUNCEMENT

Posted on March 20, 2020

These provisions may be implemented by employers for a period of 60 days from the date of this notice OR within 3 business days after the termination of the National Emergency, whichever comes first.

• Employers with employees taking physical proximity precautions due to the novel coronavirus need not review the employee's identity...

USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing for All I-129 and I-140 Petitions Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Posted on March 20, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Effective today, March 20, 2020, USCIS will not accept any new requests for premium processing. USCIS will process any petition with a previously...

Trump considers increasing visas for foreign investors

Posted on March 19, 2020

The Trump administration is considering a controversial proposal to boost the number of visas offered to wealthy immigrants who invest money in the United States as it tries to boost a faltering economy amid the escalating coronavirus outbreak, according to four people familiar with the situation.

The proposal, which could be included in one of...

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19: WHILE UNIVERSITIES SHUT THEIR DOORS, INDIAN EMBASSY ASKS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO STAY PUT

Posted on March 18, 2020

Green card holders who are abroad and cannot currently travel back to the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic should consider keeping evidence of U.S. ties for re-entry.

As a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), absences of more than 180 days to one year may create a "presumption" that you have abandoned your...

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