USCIS Updated Guidance on Expedite Criteria, RFEs and NOIDs, and EAD Validity Periods


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued three new policy updates in the USCIS Policy Manual. These updates:

• Clarify the criteria and circumstances for expedited processing;
• Address the circumstances in which officers should issue Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs); and
• Extend the validity period for initial and renewal...
USCIS Updated Guidance on Expedite Criteria, RFEs and NOIDs, and EAD Validity Periods Continue reading…

H-4, L-2 અને E નોન-ઇમિગ્રન્ટ્સ માટે બાયોમેટ્રિક્સ હાલ પૂરતું મોકૂફ

નોન-ઇમિગ્રન્ટ્સ સ્ટેટસને લંબાવવા કે ફેરફાર કરવા માટે Form I-539 ફાઇલ કરનારા કેટલાક અરજદારો માટે બાયોમેટ્રિક્સની જરૂરિયાત થોડો સમય માટે ૧૭ મે, ૨૦૨૧થી મોકૂફ રાખવામાં આવી છે. H-4, L-2 અને E સ્ટેટસ માટે ફિંગરપ્રિન્ટ્સ અને તસવીર લીધા સિવાય હાલ કામ ચલાવવામાં આવશે એમ USCIS તરફથી જણાવાયું છે.

USCIS જણાવ્યા અનુસાર ૧૭ મે, ૨૦૨૩ સુધી મોકૂફ...

H-4, L-2 અને E નોન-ઇમિગ્રન્ટ્સ માટે બાયોમેટ્રિક્સ હાલ પૂરતું મોકૂફ Continue reading…

DOS Update: National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from China, Iran, India, Brazil, South Africa, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland


On May 27, 2021, the Secretary of State made a national interest determination regarding categories of travelers eligible for exceptions under Presidential Proclamations related to the spread of COVID-19. As a result of this determination, together with national interest determinations already in place, travelers subject to these proclamations due to their presence in China,...

DOS Update: National Interest Exceptions for Certain Travelers from China, Iran, India, Brazil, South Africa, Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland Continue reading…

DHS ISSUES FINAL RULE TO REMOVE VACATED H-1B RULE FROM CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS

On May 18th, 2021, The Department of Homeland Security issued a final rule that removes from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) an interim final rule (IFR) issued in October 2020, which has since been vacated by a federal district court.

On Oct. 8, 2020, DHS issued an IFR titled, Strengthening the H-1B...

DHS ISSUES FINAL RULE TO REMOVE VACATED H-1B RULE FROM CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS Continue reading…

USCIS Update: Naturalization Eligibility and Voter Registration Through a State’s Benefit Application Process


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding applicants’ registration to vote through a state’s department of motor vehicles or other state benefit application process and the effects on an applicant’s good moral character (GMC).

Policy Highlights

• Clarifies that USCIS will not penalize an applicant who unknowingly...
USCIS Update: Naturalization Eligibility and Voter Registration Through a State’s Benefit Application Process Continue reading…

USCIS POLICY ALERT: Preserving Continuous Residence and Physical Presence for Purposes of Naturalization while Engaged in Religious Duties Outside the United States


Policy Highlights

• Specifies that applicants engaged outside the United States in a qualifying religious vocation provided under INA 317 must file an Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes (Form N-470) with USCIS to have time outside the United States considered towards the continuous residence and physical presence requirements.

• Clarifies that such...
USCIS POLICY ALERT: Preserving Continuous Residence and Physical Presence for Purposes of Naturalization while Engaged in Religious Duties Outside the United States Continue reading…

DHS Extends Form I-9 Requirement Flexibility (Effective June 1, 2021)


The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.

This temporary guidance was set to expire May 31, 2021. Because of ongoing precautions related to COVID-19, DHS has extended the Form...
DHS Extends Form I-9 Requirement Flexibility (Effective June 1, 2021) Continue reading…