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Client Alert: USCIS Final Rule for FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registration

By Nathan Grow On February 2, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule titled Improving the H-1B Registration Selection Process and Program Integrity. The final rule, which will become effective March 4, 2024 focuses on enhancing integrity, reducing fraud, and ensuring fairness in beneficiary selection in this year’s H-1B lottery registration […]

H-1B Cap Travel FAQ for F-1 Students

By Kimberley Best Robidoux Q: When is the H-1B cap registration period? A: It is expected to be the first two weeks of March 2024 but as of January 24, 2024 the specific dates have not yet been announced by USCIS. Q: If I am maintaining F-1 status, can I travel while my H-1B cap […]

A Guide to Understanding the Visa Bulletin for HR Immigration Professionals

Delving into the intricacies of the Final Action Chart (Chart A) and Dates for Filing Chart (Chart B), this legal article aims to provide clarity on the often-discussed topic in our “Chatting With Charlie” series. By Laura Bloniarz and Charles Oppenheim Understanding Chart A and Chart B:  Chart A Basics:  Chart A signifies immigrant visa […]

USCIS Increases H-1B Premium Processing Fee to $2,805, Alongside Fee Increases for Other Case Types

** 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 […]

Department of State Announces H-1B Visa Renewal Pilot Program in the U.S.

The Department of State is launching a pilot program for domestic renewal of H-1B visas, offering a significant development for qualified applicants. The program, active from January 29 to April 1, 2024, allows eligible H-1B visa holders to renew their visas within the United States, a departure from the standard process requiring renewal from outside […]

Chatting with Charlie Webinar Series

Former U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of Immigrant Visa Control Charlie Oppenheim is WR Immigration’s Director of Visa Consulting. Mr. Oppenheim leads two webinars each month in his “Chatting with Charlie” series regarding current visa issues and live reactions to the Visa Bulletin on LinkedIn. The Chatting with Charlie HR  Webinar Series assists companies and individuals with […]

Chatting with Charlie: January 2024 Visa Bulletin Update

This December marks the one-year anniversary of our Chatting with Charlie series! We are extremely proud of what we’ve been able to develop throughout the year and hope you continue to Journey Forward with us. WR Immigration invites you to attend this amazing webinar series with Director of Visa Consulting Charlie Oppenheim to gain insights […]

Chatting with Charlie: December 2023 Visa Bulletin Update

WR Immigration invites you to attend this amazing webinar series with Director of Visa Consulting Charlie Oppenheim to gain insights to the immigration industry. Join us on November 16 at 11:00 am PT to hear details about the December Visa Bulletin for both Employment-Based and Family-Based schedules.

4 Takeaways from the 2023 Worldwide ERC Global Workforce Symposium

WR Immigration was proud to sponsor the Worldwide ERC 2023 Global Workforce Symposium held in Boston this year. While at this annual meeting of global mobility professionals, we had a chance to meet with old friends and colleagues, as well as create new connections with whom to share insights on how to bring global mobility […]

Form I-9: Out with the Old, In with the New

By Kimberley Best Robidoux Are you ready for November 1? If you’re wondering why we’re asking, it’s because November 1 is the day that employers may use ONLY the new edition of the Form I-9 (dated 08/01/2023). If you didn’t remember, never fear. At WR Immigration, we are I-9 geeks and keep track of all […]

Shutdown Alert: Assessing the Potential Fallout for Business Immigration Programs

As the deadline for passing the spending bills required to fund the government approaches, the possibility of a government shutdown on October 1, 2023, looms large. Such a shutdown can have significant implications for various agencies involved in immigration processes. While self-funded immigration programs may continue to operate, other processes may experience delays, rescheduling, or […]

Changes to Form I-9 and the Virtual Inspection Process: Top 5 Things to Know

As we previously reported, the Department of Homeland Security is making changes to Form I-9 and has created a permanent virtual I-9 document inspection procedure (“Alternative Procedure”). The most important takeaways from the DHS announcement are listed below. 1. A New Form I-9 DHS has announced that beginning August 1, 2023 employers may use the […]