USCIS Extends Flexibilities to Certain Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT

USCIS today announced flexibilities for certain foreign students affected by delayed receipt notices for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. These flexibilities apply only to applications received on or after Oct. 1, 2020, through May 1, 2021, inclusive.

USCIS has experienced delays at certain lockboxes in issuing receipt notices for Form I-765 for optional practical...

USCIS Extends Flexibilities to Certain Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT Continue reading…

Premium Processing Service to E-3 Petitioners expanded by USCIS


Starting Feb. 24, 2021, petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, requesting a change or extension of status to E-3 classification will have the option to request premium processing service for their petition. The E-3 classification applies only to nationals of Australia who are coming to the United States solely to perform...
Premium Processing Service to E-3 Petitioners expanded by USCIS Continue reading…

What Is the USCIS?

If you are dealing with or intending to deal with an immigration issue, whether it is seeking U.S. permanent residency, a visa, renewal of a visa, or something else, then you will likely have heard of USCIS. An integral part of the U.S. immigration system, USCIS oversees a variety of immigration-related issues. Here,...

What Is the USCIS? Continue reading…

USCIS Reverts Naturalization Civics Test to 2008 Version

USCIS announced today it is reverting to the 2008 version of the naturalization civics test beginning March 1, 2021.

Policy Highlights

Provides that USCIS will administer the 2008 civics test to applicants who filed for naturalization before December 1, 2020, or who will file on or after March 1, 2021.Provides that USCIS will give applicants...
USCIS Reverts Naturalization Civics Test to 2008 Version Continue reading…

USCIS Update Regarding Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT


USCIS continues to experience delays at certain lockboxes in issuing receipt notices for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, based on eligibility categories described in 8 C.F.R. 274a.12(c)(3), relating to optional practical training (OPT) for F-1 students. While USCIS have made progress in addressing the delays, USCIS would like to provide additional clarifications and...
USCIS Update Regarding Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT Continue reading…

Recent guide from NPZ Law Group – US and Canadian Immigration Lawyers – about Temporary Protected Status in the US


Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a time-limited status given to eligible nationals of designated countries who are present in the United States when circumstances in their home country make it unsafe to return. The status is afforded to nationals from countries affected by armed conflict, natural disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions, and...
Recent guide from NPZ Law Group – US and Canadian Immigration Lawyers – about Temporary Protected Status in the US Continue reading…

What to Expect at Your Biometrics Appointment

Part of the application process for work permits, citizenship, permanent resident status (Green Card), or a green card renewal is a biometrics appointment. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires applicants to seek benefits associated with U.S. immigration. The phrase “biometrics appointment” sounds cold, sterile, and a bit scary. The truth of the...

What to Expect at Your Biometrics Appointment Continue reading…

H-1B NONIMMIGRANT WORK VISA UPDATE: USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2021 H-1B Cap


USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2021.

USCIS have completed sending non-selection notifications to registrants’ online accounts. The status for registrations properly submitted for...
H-1B NONIMMIGRANT WORK VISA UPDATE: USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2021 H-1B Cap Continue reading…

CANADA ANNOUNCES TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS BY LAND AND AIR


Canada has some of the strictest travel and border measures in the world, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine for everyone returning to the country. With new COVID-19 variant detections increasing in the country, the Government of Canada is announcing today further testing and quarantine requirements for international travelers arriving to Canada’s air and land...
CANADA ANNOUNCES TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS BY LAND AND AIR Continue reading…