The initial registration period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap closed on March 25, 2024, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) preparing to randomly select registrations to meet the numerical allocations. Notably, from April 1, 2024, USCIS mandates that all H-1B and H-1B1 Form I-129 petitions be...
USCIS Policy Manual Update for New Fee Schedule and Request Requirements
USCIS has updated its Policy Manual effective April 1, 2024, to incorporate the new Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements as outlined in the Final Rule published on January 31, 2024. This update affects all applications and petitions postmarked from April 1 onwards, adjusting to new form...
Streamlining Naturalization: USCIS Expands EBE Program for Social Security Updates
Starting April 1, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will expand the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) program to include the new edition of the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Applicants using the form with an edition date of April 1, 2024, can now request an original or replacement Social Security number (SSN)...
Clarifying USCIS Expedite Requests: New Policy Guidance Updates
The USCIS has updated its Policy Manual to clarify procedures for expedite requests related to government interests, emergencies, and urgent travel needs. It specifies how expedite requests are considered for public safety, national interest, or security, particularly emphasizing deference to federal agency assessments. For travel, it outlines considerations for expediting Form I-131...
Canada to adjust temporary measures under the TFWP
The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program experienced a surge in demand due to the post-pandemic economy, low unemployment rates, and record-high job vacancy rates in 2022. To address those labour shortages, the Program adopted a series of policy changes. With changing labour market conditions and declining job vacancies, the Government is adjusting...
USCIS Announces Extension for FY 2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended the initial registration deadline for the FY 2025 H-1B cap from March 22 to March 25, 2024, due to a temporary system outage. This extension ensures all prospective petitioners can complete their registrations despite the technical difficulties. USCIS introduced new organizational accounts on...
Understanding U Visas: A Guide for Crime Victims with Past Convictions
In the realm of immigration law, U Visas emerge as a critical provision for individuals who've experienced the trauma of being victims of certain crimes. This non-immigrant status is designed to encourage victims to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement without the fear of being deported. But what about those victims...
Final Call: Register Now for the H-1B Visa Cap FY 2025 Before Deadline on March 22
The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap closes at noon Eastern on March 22, 2024. During this period, prospective petitioners and legal representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee for each beneficiary. Online account users...
Navigating the New Terrain: Understanding the Impact of the DOL’s Independent Contractor Rule on I-9 Compliance
The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) recent revision of the criteria for classifying workers as independent contractors or employees under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape. This change, effective March 11, 2024, rescinds the employer-friendly test established during the Trump administration, replacing it...
Understanding the New USCIS Filing Fee Adjustments: A Comprehensive Guide for Clients
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