Articles Posted in USCIS Online Account

July 30, 2024

BREAKING: USCIS Announces Second Lottery for Regular Cap Will Be Made from Previously Submitted FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registrations

Today July 30, 2024, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will be conducting a second lottery to select additional beneficiaries for the H-1B Fiscal Year 2025 cap season to reach the regular cap numerical limit.

USCIS will be drawing from previously submitted electronic registrations from FY 2025 to choose beneficiaries at random. Our readers will recall that the initial registration period for the H-1B FY 2025 cap season ran from April 1^st to June 30^th and the first lottery was conducted back in March.

The second round of selection for the regular cap will include previously submitted registrations that indicated eligibility for the master’s cap, along with those that indicated only eligibility for the regular cap.

Once the second lottery has been completed, petitioners with selected registrations will be notified via their myUSCIS organizational accounts online, that they are eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition for the beneficiary named in the applicable selected registration.

What to do now

Petitioners should keep a close eye on their myUSCIS online accounts in the coming days and weeks to review the status of previously submitted registrations. Those who are selected will receive selection notices, including details of when to file their petitions with USCIS.

We wish everyone the best of luck!

For more information, please click here.

January 19, 2024

USCIS to Launch Organizational Accounts for H-1B FY 2025 Cap Season

by Jacob Sapochnick

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that it will be launching organizational accounts for non-cap filings and the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap season. These efforts will increase efficiency and facilitate collaboration between H-1B employers and their legal representatives.

USCIS has said that organizational accounts will allow multiple individuals within an organization, such as a company or other business entity, and their legal representatives to collaborate on and prepare H-1B registrations, Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and associated Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service.

This process will effectively begin the agency’s preparation for the online filing of I-129 H-1B petitions and will eventually make the H-1B process fully electronic, from registering online, to receiving final decisions and correspondence to USCIS and the Department of State.

When will organizational accounts be launching?

USCIS expects to launch the organizational accounts in February 2024, with online filing of Forms I-129 and I-907 following shortly thereafter. The agency expects for these new changes to streamline the Form I-129 H-1B petition process and reduce duplicate H-1B registrations.

Transition to USCIS Lockbox

Additionally, the agency will be transitioning the paper filing location for Forms I-129 and I-907 from service centers to the USCIS lockbox to standardize the filing process and reduce costs.

November 27, 2023

USCIS Extends “MyProgress” to Form I-485 and Form I-821

by Jacob Sapochnick

Did you know? U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that online account holders can take advantage of a new tool called “myProgress.”

“MyProgress” allows applicants to view personalized estimates of approximate wait times for major milestones and actions taken on their cases including final case decisions. These estimates are provided based on case type and historical patterns. They do not guarantee time frames and do not take into account external factors that can prolong the processing of applications.

Who can take advantage of this new tool?

Online account holders who have the following applications pending with USCIS can use the “myProgress” tool:

October 26, 2023

USCIS Launches New Online Change of Address Tool for those with USCIS Online Accounts

by Jacob Sapochnick

Did you know that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched a new online change of address self-service tool?

This new tool known as “Enterprise Change of Address” (E-COA) is a one-stop shop where most individuals with a USCIS online account can update their mailing and physical address for pending applications, petitions, or requests filed with USCIS.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to use this tool instead of the alternative tool because it has drastically improved the speed and efficiency with which these requests can be processed by USCIS. The E-COA tool can be accessed via a USCIS online account regardless of whether your pending case was filed online or by mail.

You will simply need to create or login to your USCIS online account, select the E-COA tool in your online account, enter your last name, date of birth, and new physical and mailing addresses. USCIS also recommends that you provide information about their pending application, petition, or request with USCIS.

To learn how to create a USCIS online account please click here.

Do I still need to change my address if I do not have a pending application with USCIS?

Yes. Those who do not have any pending applications, petitions, or requests with USCIS must still notify USCIS if they have moved.

Can all applicants use the new change of address tool?

Certain special classes of immigrants cannot use the E-COA tool at this time including: persons who have pending or approved applications or petitions for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) benefits, T nonimmigrant status, or U nonimmigrant status and their beneficiaries or derivatives.

Legal representatives of applicants or petitioners with VAWA-, T-, or U-related cases can request a change of address by emailing the designated mailbox under the “Inquiries for VAWA, T, and U Filings” section.

USCIS Adopts NEW National Interest Waiver Eligibility Standard in Matter of Dhanasar

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Tourist Visa Applicants: Common Pitfalls to Avoid During the Application Process

Do’s and Don’ts If you are considering applying for a temporary visitor visa to travel to the United States for purposes of leisure or to receive temporary medical treatment, there are several things you should be aware of. First, you should understand what you can do while on a temporary visitor visa and what […]

Happy Labor Day!

From our family to yours, Happy Labor Day!

Staff Spotlight: Associate Attorney Nadia Galash, Esq.

It is a pleasure for our law office to introduce associate attorney Nadia Galash to our readers Bio: Nadia Galash has been a California licensed attorney since 2009 and has been practicing immigration law since 2011. Nadia Galash specializes in adjustment of status/permanent resident processing; citizenship; deportation and removal proceedings before Immigration Court; law and motion […]