Immigration Insights Podcast: International Entrepreneur Parole Program & Biometrics Requirement
Through a series of sweeping executive orders, the Trump Administration has launched a systematic overhaul of U.S. immigration policy. The Administration’s prioritization of immigration enforcement will likely impact...more
An all too familiar countdown once again as we wait to hear the fate of the latest temporary extension to continue funding the government after midnight on Friday, December 20th. Employers should be aware that a shutdown will...more
Canada – The 2025 to 2027 Immigration Levels Plan; Temporary Relief for Citizens of Lebanon; Quebec’s Immigration Plan for 2025 Announced....more
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use the Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications chart in August 2024. The Final Action Dates chart reflects one-month advancements in...more
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use the Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications chart in April 2024, reflecting modest advancement in several categories....more
In just two weeks, on April 1, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement its new filing fee structure. The new fees will vary by visa type with exceptions for small employers and non-profit...more
Please note: while we address certain country-specific updates, this Alert contains information regarding global requirements, policies, and procedures as they stand as of the date of publication. We highly recommend...more
Cost increases due to inflation have become a norm over the last two years, and immigration fees are no exception. USCIS announced that effective April 1, 2024, fees for certain immigration benefits will be adjusted for the...more
As we delve into the February 2024 Visa Bulletin, it’s evident that the priority dates for employer-based immigrant petitions continue to face minimal advancement, contributing to prolonged wait times for immigrant visas...more
Executive Summary: Recent reports from the U.S. Department of State (DOS) make clear that American companies need foreign talent more than ever before, and...more
Canada – Student Program: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced significant alterations to the international student program on January 22, 2024. These include a new cap on study permit approvals for...more
Please note, while we address some country-specific updates, this Alert contains information regarding global requirements, policies, and procedures as they stand today. We highly recommend reviewing any global mobility...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Department of State expects to start the stateside visa renewal pilot in early 2024....more
We now have full details of the UK visa, immigration and nationality price hikes announced by the Prime Minister in July. The Home Office has announced that higher fees will apply from October 4, 2023, and we would...more
The Department of State published the October 2023 Visa Bulletin Report on September 15, 2023 and announced that it will accept family and employment-based filings based on the Dates for Filing chart in October. As October is...more
It’s hard to keep up with all the recent changes to labor and employment law, especially since the law always seems to evolve at a rapid pace. In order to ensure you stay on top of the latest changes and have an action plan...more
The Department of State released the January 2023 Visa Bulletin. As forecasted in our Fiscal Year 2023 visa availability analysis, we are now seeing the retrogression for Indian and Chinese nationals in the EB-1 category....more
On May 4, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a vast increase in the length of automatic extensions for certain renewal applicants. A Temporary Final...more
An accounting firm hires a new graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from a local university for its audit team. This new graduate is a foreign student utilizing the one-year Optional Practical Training...more
Today, March 30, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule expanding premium processing for multinational managers, advanced degree holders seeking a national interest waiver, nonimmigrant...more
As more companies are struggling to hire and retain talent in the midst of the “Great Resignation,” I am beginning to get more questions from clients who have never considered sponsoring an applicant for a visa about the...more
On June 9, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued new policy updates to the USCIS Policy Manual that will clarify the criteria and circumstances for expedited processing; improve the existing request...more
On March 31, 2021, the Trump administration’s Proclamation 10052, which had suspended the entry of certain H-1B, H-2B, J, and L nonimmigrant visa holders and their dependents to the United States, expired. In addition, on...more
In December 2020, we reported on the pandemic’s adverse effects on United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and how the nearly four-month office closure of Application Support Centers (ASCs) and Field...more
On April 27, 2021, USCIS issued guidance to its officers instructing them to give deference to prior USCIS determinations when adjudicating petitions and applications involving the same facts and parties. This guidance...more