Great news! Today, March 27, 2020, USCIS announced that it has received enough electronic registrations to reach the FY 2021 H-1B cap—just 7 days after the registration period closed on March 20, 2020. USCIS randomly selected from among registrations that were properly submitted to meet the 65,000/20,000 annual numerical limitations…
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CARES Act: What’s Inside the Coronavirus Aid Package? Are Aliens Eligible?
It has been nearly two weeks since the President of the United States declared a public health emergency for COVID-19, forcing the American economy to come to a screeching halt. Thereafter, states enacted their own measures requiring non-essential businesses across the country to shutter temporarily until the virus has been…
Sapochnick Law Firm COVID-19 Business Continuity Statement
As the impact of COVID-19 grows, we think it is important that you hear directly from us about the mitigation efforts that we the Sapochnick Law Firm have enacted to reduce the risk of infection to our clients, attorneys, and valued staff members. At this critical juncture, our focus remains…
COVID-19: Special Relief for F-1 Students Experiencing Severe Financial Hardship and Relief for Applicants Seeking Extension/Change of Status
In the midst of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic, USCIS reminds applicants and petitioners impacted by the pandemic that they can seek certain types of discretionary relief on a case-by-case basis. Relief for Individuals Seeking Extensions/Change of Status Special relief is available to individuals who were unable to file…
This Week in Immigration News: USCIS Closes Field Offices, Asylum Offices, and ASC Centers in response to COVID 19, Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing Service for FY 2021 H1B Petitions, and TPS Re-Registration Opens for Somalia
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! In this post, we bring you the latest immigration news for the week. USCIS Temporarily Closing Offices to the Public March 18-April 1 to Reduce Spread of COVID 19 In response to the widespread COVID 19 pandemic, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has…
All About Form DS-5540 Public Charge Questionnaire: Who Must Complete It?
In this post, we will discuss Form DS-5540, a mandatory public charge questionnaire that must be completed by all foreign nationals seeking an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad and some non-immigrant visa applicants. What is Form DS-5540, Public Charge Questionnaire? Shortly after the publication of the…
Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants From Europe Due to Coronavirus
In light of the global Coronavirus pandemic, on March 11, 2020, the President signed a presidential proclamation suspending and limiting the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants who were physically present within the Schengen Area (most EU states) during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United…
USCIS Publishes FAQs and Video Instructions for H-1B Electronic Registration Process FY 2021
Great news for FY 2021 H-1B registrants! USCIS has published step-by-step video instructions showing you how you can submit an electronic registration on the USCIS website without the use of an attorney or representative. It is not too late to register. The registration period closes noon ET on March 20,…
This Week in Immigration News: USCIS Launches Online Fraud Reporting System, Presidential Proclamation Regarding Coronavirus, H-2B Visa Update, & TPS Re-Registration for Yemen
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! In this blog post we cover the latest immigration news of the week. USCIS Launches Online Form to Report Fraud On March 3rd USCIS announced the launch of a new online form available on the USCIS website that can be used to report suspected immigration fraud…
H-1B Season Kicks Off: Initial H-1B Registration Period Now Open until Noon ET March 20, 2020 FY 2021
H-1B season has officially kicked off! The new mandatory H-1B electronic registration system for fiscal year 2021 opened yesterday at noon ET on March 1, 2020 and will remain open until noon ET on March 20, 2020. In order to have a chance of being selected, from now on all…