Immigration Insights Podcast: International Entrepreneur Parole Program & Biometrics Requirement
The H-1B is a work permit classification for those who work in Specialty Occupations, which are occupations for which specific university degrees, or related degrees, are required. These are very well-used by foreign students...more
This article is part of a monthly column that connects popular culture to hot-button labor and employment law issues. In this installment, we focus on the immigration challenges highlighted in the romantic comedy “The...more
On April 1, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had selected sufficient H-1B visa preregistrations to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 regular H-1B cap (bachelor’s degree cap)...more
In the intricate processes of mergers and acquisitions, the focus often lands squarely on financials, asset management, and strategic alignments. However, an equally crucial aspect that demands attention is the impact of...more
The E-1 Treaty Trader visa permits executives, managers, supervisors, and essential employees of non-U.S. companies that engage in substantial trade between the U.S. and a treaty country to obtain work permits valid for five...more
1. Choosing the Right Legal Structure - 1.1 Introduction - Establishing a business entity in the United States can be an important strategic step for any international company that wants to avail itself of the...more
On December 13, 2023, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that it reached the requisite number of H-1B Cap petitions and stopped making further selections for Fiscal Year 2024. Fiscal...more
The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) includes information on which citizens of treaty countries can come to the U.S. for specific activities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interprets that information...more
On March 27, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had selected sufficient H-1B visa preregistrations to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 regular H-1B cap (bachelor’s degree cap)...more
A new federal law restricts foreign investors’ access to E visas by adding a three-year domicile requirement for investors who obtained their citizenship through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programs....more
The U.S. immigration system can be both complex and tedious, but for anyone involved in international trade with the United States the E-1 International Trade Visa offers a swift and effective path to U.S. immigration status....more
Employers know that U.S. immigration laws are complex, and the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) long processing delays – coupled with recent layoffs in the tech industry – have further complicated matters by adding new fact...more
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will soon announce the fiscal year 2024 H-1B registration period. This is an important time of the year for employers wishing to sponsor a candidate for a cap...more
Congress passed the James N. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (“NDAA”) on December 15, 2022. Of particular importance in the NDAA is Section 5901, which makes two important changes to eligibility...more
Portugal is designated an E-1/E-2 treaty country in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (H.R. 7776/NDAA) passed by Congress on December 15, 2022. President Joe Biden is expected to sign...more
The commercial and business aviation industry in the U.S. is in crisis, with an unprecedented shortage of pilots creating demand that far outstrips the supply of commercial and business pilots available. While this is bad...more
1. Choosing the Right Legal Structure - 1.1 Introduction - Establishing a business entity in the United States can be an important strategic step for any international company that wants to avail itself of the world’s...more
In their search for skilled workers, manufacturers should not overlook countries with which the United States maintains a treaty. Such treaty countries offer an additional avenue to find skilled, non-professional employees....more
We previously reported that USCIS reached a settlement agreement that allows the spouses of foreign nationals holding E-1, E-2, E-3, and L-1 status to work “incident to status.” This means that these spouses can work for any...more
As previously reported, pursuant to a policy announced on November 12, 2022, USCIS will consider E and L nonimmigrant dependent spouses to be employment authorized incidental to their status. On January 30, 2022, USCIS and...more
In November 2021 DHS announced a new policy recognizing E and L dependent spouses as having employment authorized incident to their status, meaning they do not need to apply for a separate employment authorization document...more
On November 19, 2021, the Quarles & Brady team issued an alert detailing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service’s (USCIS) policy changes regarding work authorization for L-2, H-4, and E dependent visa spouses....more
On Burr & Forman's "Immigration Insights" podcast, host Melissa Azallion Kenny provides listeners with updates on the International Entrepreneur Parole Program and the suspension of biometric fees for dependent applicants....more
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be suspending biometric screening requirements for H-4, L-2, E-1, E-2, and E-3 dependent visa holders for two years beginning May 17, 2021. This suspension will...more