Immigration Alerts
Reminder: H-1B Cap Registration Period Begins Soon
The window for H-1B cap registration (AKA H-1B lottery) will begin next Wednesday, March 6th at 9:00 AM (Pacific Standard Time).
USCIS Announces Fee Increases Effective April 1st, 2024
In its first comprehensive increase since 2016, USCIS announced publication of its final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization fees on January 30th. USCIS states these increases are necessary to “recover a greater share of its operating costs and support more timely processing of new applications”[i] and also support expansion of humanitarian programs. Additional stated benefits include:
Important H-1B Rule Changes
The Department of Homeland Security is implementing two important changes that alters the H1B random selection (AKA “lottery”) process, and increases USCIS filing fees.
USCIS to Update Policy Guidance for International Students
USCIS has announced that it is issuing policy guidance regarding the F and M student nonimmigrant classifications.
USCIS Confirms Sharp Increase in the Number of H-1B Registrations
This year, USCIS saw a dramatic increase in the number of registrations submitted compared to last year.
H-1B Cap Lottery Completed
Today, USCIS announced that the H-1B random selection (lottery) process has concluded and that it has informed registrants and attorneys of the selection result through “MyUSCIS” accounts.
Premium Processing for OPT and STEM OPT EADs
USCIS has announced that Premium Processing (PP) will become available for certain F-1 students in phases
USCIS to Resume Bundled Processing of Applications for H and L Dependents
Effective January 25, 2023, USCIS will bundle the processing of I-539 and I-765 (EAD) applications for spouses and children of H-1B and L-1 nonimmigrants along with the I-129 petition.
Update #4: Expansion of Premium Processing
This is an update to our 9/15/2022 article regarding USCIS’s expansion of Premium Processing service.