In this blog post, we share exciting news in the world of immigration law. On March 29, 2022, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released a much-anticipated announcement explaining the actions it will take to reduce the substantial backlog, and new policy changes that will be implemented to…
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Secretary Mayorkas Designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months
In this blog post, we share with you some recent updates for the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. On March 16, 2022, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months. What is Temporary Protected Status? Temporary Protected Status (TPS)…
Department of State Clarifies Possibility of Local Filing of Form I-130 Petitions at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad for Ukrainian, Afghan, and Ethiopian Immediate Relatives Fleeing Conflict
The ongoing turmoil in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia has prompted the U.S. Department of State to issue new guidance regarding the possibility of filing a Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas for Afghan, Ethiopian, and Ukrainian immediate relatives fleeing conflict zones. DOS has clarified…
Your Guide to the April 2022 Visa Bulletin, What to Expect, and More!
It is that time of the month again! In this blog post, we will cover the release of the April Visa Bulletin 2022 and what you can expect for employment based and family preference categories during the month of April 2022. The Department of State releases the visa bulletin on a monthly basis,…
DOS Publishes Guidance and Resources for Ukrainian Nationals
With the developing situation in Ukraine, we offer the latest information with respect to visa options and immigration alternatives for Ukrainian nationals to consider. For an in-depth discussion and evaluation of the best visa option for you, we encourage you to contact our office for a consultation. At the outset,…
USCIS H-1B FY 2023 Season Updates!
In the blog post we share some exciting H-1B news! While the FY 2023 H-1B season is about to get underway, today February 28, 2022, USCIS announced that it has received enough petitions to reach the fiscal year 2022 cap that began last March, including the advanced degree exemption. USCIS…
BREAKING NEWS: CDC Amends Guidance Allowing Ukrainian Nationals Entry Without Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test
Today, Americans woke up to the tragic news of Russia’s targeted attack on Ukraine, adding to increased anxieties surrounding the already uncertain global climate during the COVID-19 pandemic. To provide some relief in these unprecedented circumstances, the U.S. government and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have amended their regulations to…
Your Guide to the March 2022 Visa Bulletin, What to Expect, and More!
It is that time of the month again! In this blog post, we will cover the release of the March Visa Bulletin 2022 and what you can expect for employment based and family preference categories during the month of March 2022. The Department of State releases the visa bulletin on a monthly basis,…
This Week in Immigration News: USCIS Updates its Guidelines to Increase Validity Period of Employment Authorization Documents for Certain Applicants, & H-1B FY 2023 Registration Reminders
Happy Valentine’s Day! Welcome back to Visalawyerblog. In this blog post, we share with you some important updates in the world of immigration. But first, we hope you are having a wonderful holiday spent with friends and loved ones. What’s New? USCIS Updates its Guidelines to Increase Validity Period of…
Department of State/AILA Liaison Committee Meeting Q&A Highlights: What is DOS doing to eliminate the Visa Backlogs? What is the status of processing at missions in China? & More!
In today’s blog post, we share some interesting Question and Answer responses recently provided by the Department of State’s Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Consular Affairs (L/CA), in a meeting with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). The responses below provide some important insight into current immigration policies…