On Jan. 8, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued guidance in the Policy Manual, Vol. 2, Part M, to clarify how USCIS evaluates evidence to determine eligibility for O-1 nonimmigrant visas for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement, including adding examples of evidence for individuals...
Romantic comedies often take creative liberties, but beneath the humor and drama, movies like The Proposal highlight real-life challenges of immigration compliance. In the film, Margaret Tate, a Canadian executive played by Sandra Bullock, faces deportation and orchestrates a fake engagement with her assistant, Andrew (Ryan Reynolds), to maintain her U.S. residency. While the...
Recent years have seen significant changes in high-skilled immigration to the United States, with a notable increase in approvals for O-1A visas and National Interest Waivers (NIW). These shifts come in the wake of favorable guidance from the Biden Administration, which is focused on attracting top talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
If you are a top performer in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics, the United States offers unique opportunities for you to share your talents. The O-1 and O-2 visas are tailored for individuals with exceptional abilities and achievements. In this blog, we’ll guide you through what these visas are, who...
Filings and approvals for O-1A visas and national interest waivers have surged following the Biden administration's 2022 immigration guidance. The guidance aimed to attract high-skilled talent in STEM fields by clarifying eligibility and easing the process. Data shows a significant rise in applications and approvals for both O-1A visas and national interest...
The Olympics are a global celebration of athletic excellence, uniting the world in a shared appreciation of human potential. For athletes representing the United States, participating in the Olympics often involves navigating the complex U.S. immigration system. This blog post explores the key visa options available to athletes and support staff, focusing...
The O-1 Visa permits individuals with exceptional talents in fields such as arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics to work in the United States. For those aiming to achieve permanent residency, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a potential pathway. This guide details the process for O-1 visa holders to transition to...
The H-1B visa system has undergone significant changes in the past year, which are reshaping the way employers and employees approach the application process. These changes have led to a substantial drop in applications and have introduced new rules to prevent fraud and...
In the face of rising operational costs and the relentless march of inflation, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant update to its fee structure for various immigration-related filings. Effective April 1, 2024, these changes mark the first fee adjustment since 2016, underscoring a critical development for employers...
As previously announced, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ new inflation-adjusted premium processing fees take effect today, increasing the filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing. USCIS published a final rule announcing the change on Dec. 28, 2023.
The USCIS Stabilization Act established the current premium processing fees and...
