The Immigration Channel

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2024 H-1B cap will open at noon ET on March 1, 2023, and run through noon ET on March 17, 2023. Prospective H-1B ... More

The Department of State's Visa Bulletin for March 2023 includes updates on visa availability in various categories, including possible retrogressions in the coming months: Visa availability in the EB-2 preference category for all countries (including China and India): Higher than expected ... More

According to reports, the Department of State (DOS) plans to launch a pilot program later this year to allow visa renewals in the United States for H and L nonimmigrant workers, who currently must leave the country to renew their ... More

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has begun issuing newly designed permanent resident cards (green cards) and employment authorization documents (EADs). Current cards remain valid until their expiration dates (unless otherwise noted, such as through an automatic ... More

The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a Final Rule adjusting for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed against employers for several immigration-related violations enforced by DOJ. The penalty ranges have been increased for the unlawful employment of immigrants, certain immigration-related ... More

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2024 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 17, 2023. During this period, prospective ... More

USCIS announced that it would further extend a number of COVID-19-related flexibilities through March 23, 2023. Under these flexibilities, USCIS is effectively granting a 60 day extension for responses to Requests for Evidence (RFE), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID), ... More

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (green cards) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent ... More

USCIS has agreed to resume concurrent adjudication of H-4, L-2, and I-765 applications for spouses and minor children of H-1B and L-1 nonimmigrants when those applications are filed concurrently with the Form I-129. This policy change stems from a settlement ... More

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has finally provided questions and answers in follow-up to a webinar originally presented by the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman in August 2022 on international student issues. Topics include maintaining F-1 status ... More