In this podcast, WR Immigration Director of Visa Consulting Charlie Oppenheim and Partner Joey Barnett give an update on the investor visa program. Our team covers a range of topics including a review of 2022 visa report, the May Visa Bulletin, concurrent filing strategies, and more!
The Biden administration has allowed in-person physical inspection requirements related to the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification process to be postponed during the Covid-19 pandemic. This has been a great convenience for employers in the short term but could pose logistical problems down the line as more and more people may need to be reverified in person if and when they return to their worksites. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has extended flexibilities several times that were initially summarized in a March 2020 news release. Most recently, the flexibilities, including a deferral of the physical presence requirements associated with the I-9 process for employers whose employees are working remotely due to the pandemic, were extended until December 31, 2021. ICE explained that the policy only applies to employers and workplaces operating remotely: “If there are employees physically present at a work location, no exceptions are being implemented at this time for in-person verification of identity and employment eligibility documentation” for I-9 purposes. The kicker too is that once normal operations resume, all employees who were onboarded using remote verification must report to their employer within three business days for in-person verification of identity and employment eligibility documentation. Employers who […]
** Update and Clarification for H-4 and L-2: DHS Increases Premium Processing Fees ** Despite the information provided by USCIS in its December 27, 2023 press release, Form I-539 Applications for a change or extension of stay for H-4 and L-2 dependents are not eligible for Premium Processing. However, if such applications are submitted together with the principal H-1B or L-1 beneficiary’s I-129 Petition, USCIS will review the Form I-539 as soon as possible after reviewing the Form I-129 which, when a Form I-129 is filed via Premium Processing, means that the Form I-539 for dependents will likely be adjudicated (approval, denial, RFE, NOID or referred for an investigation) within the premium processing timeframe. Original Post from 12/27/2023 In a recent update, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a final rule to adjust premium processing fees to account for inflation, with the changes set to take effect on February 26, 2024. The premium processing fees were initially established under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which granted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to periodically adjust these fees. After maintaining these fees at the same level for three years, USCIS has decided to implement adjustments based on […]
