The Immigration Channel

USCIS has posted an alert confirming “exceptionally high” availability of EB-2 immigrant visa numbers this fiscal year. To avoid wasting unused visa numbers, USCIS “strongly encourage[s]” Adjustment of Status (AOS or green card) applicants who applied based on EB-3 I-140 ... More

The Biden administration announced new actions to increase opportunities in the United States for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students and professionals, among others. A White House statement said the new actions are intended to "advance predictability and clarity ... More

With the annual opening of the electronic registration process for H-1B cap-subject petitions expected in March 2022, now is the time for employers to begin finalizing their plans for the FY2023 H-1B cap season. Below is additional information and guidance ... More

The Department of State (DOS) issued a final rule on January 19, 2022, amending its regulation governing immigrant visa (IV) fees to allow an exemption from such fees for certain applicants previously denied an immigrant visa pursuant to certain Presidential ... More

The Department of State has issued the Visa Bulletin for February 2022. Among the key highlights: EB-1 remains current for all countries. Final Action Dates for EB-2 India advanced by 5 months and 24 days to January 1, 2013. EB-3 India remains ... More

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued clarifiying guidance on how the agency determines whether an O-1B beneficiary will be evaluated as a person of extraordinary ability in the arts or as a person of extraordinary achievement in the motion ... More

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it is again extending the flexibilities it originally announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors who are responding to certain requests. The flexibilities cover responses to: Requests for Evidence; Continuations to Request ... More

The Department of State (DOS) has issued a proposed rule that would raise consular service fees for several nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications, Border Crossing Card (BCC) applications for Mexican citizens, and waivers of the two-year residency requirement for certain J ... More

The Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has released a set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) related to the wage disclosure and calculation requirements for agricultural clearance orders, including in the H-2A temporary labor certification program. The FAQ reminds ... More

Temporary travel restrictions the Biden administration imposed in November on foreign travelers from South Africa and seven other countries in the region, due to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, were lifted on December 31, 2021, following recommendations ... More