by James Pinedo | Jun 28, 2021 | Announcements
The WR Immigration Boston office has become an active sponsor in MassBio, a not-for-profit organization geared at providing services and support for the life sciences industry in Massachusetts. Leadership in this new endeavor will be spearheaded under the capable...
by James Pinedo | Jun 28, 2021 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, read about the EB-5 program’s outlook, temporary travel restrictions continuing from Canada and Mexico, and USCIS allowing resubmission of certain rejected or closed FY 2021 H-1B petitions. EB-5 Program to Expire June 30 After Efforts Fail in...
by James Pinedo | Jun 24, 2021 | Human Resources Services
It’s well-acknowledged that the circumstances of the pandemic created an acute “necessity is the mother of invention” moment for companies of all sizes and across all sectors. Change took many forms, but almost all improvements and adjustments were centered around...
by James Pinedo | Jun 22, 2021 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, read about the EB-5 program’s outlook, final action dates advancing in the Visa Bulletin for July, USCIS reports on FY 2022 H-1B cap registration, and more! EB-5 Program Set to Expire June 30, Outlook is Uncertain in Short Term The EB-5 regional...
by James Pinedo | Jun 14, 2021 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, read about USCIS updates in policy, more I-9 guidance for H-2B workers, a Supreme Court ruling on unlawful entries, and more. USCIS Updates Policies to Improve Immigration Services: Expedited Processing, RFEs/NOIDs, EADs New guidance from USCIS helps...
by James Pinedo | Jun 11, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel
The criteria for a National Interest Exception (NIE) to the Covid travel ban continue to evolve. Department of State has recently expanded the NIE criteria – which had contracted in March – to include travelers providing vital support or executive direction for...
by James Pinedo | Jun 9, 2021 | Nonimmigrant Visas
We are anticipating improvements in processing times for certain nonimmigrant applications. As of May 17, 2021, USCIS has temporarily suspended the biometrics requirement and the $85 fee for certain I-539 applicants, citing extreme delays due to temporary...
by James Pinedo | Jun 8, 2021 | Global
By means of law decree no. 56 of April 30, 2021, the validity of residence permits has been extended to July 31, 2021. Also, quarantine requirements have been updated for nationals of various countries who wish to enter Italy. The law also extends the validity of...
by James Pinedo | Jun 7, 2021 | Individual Services
Although COVID-related restrictions have begun to ease in parts of the U.S. and other parts of the world, countless foreign nationals are still running up against travel restrictions and U.S. consular shutdowns and delays that are frustrating travel plans and...
by James Pinedo | Jun 4, 2021 | Human Resources Services
As the U.S. and other markets start to see signs of recovery from the pandemic, the HR function is in the spotlight like never before. There are industries in significant growth mode that are battling for talent on a global stage – and an immigration...
by James Pinedo | Jun 4, 2021 | Global
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card is popular among foreign nationals who are of Indian origin and spouses of foreign origin of Indian citizens. The card provides for hassle-free entry and unlimited stay in India. According to news reports, the Ministry of...
by James Pinedo | Jun 3, 2021 | Announcements
WR Immigration partners will be panelists on multiple presentations next week at the AILA Annual Conference, taking place virtually this year. See below for a full list. All times listed below are Eastern. Wednesday June 9th, 2021 Partner Miki Matrician 2:15pm–3:30 pm...
by James Pinedo | Jun 3, 2021 | Global
In Canada, the starting point to obtain a work permit as a foreign national is a labor market impact assessment (LMIA). This requires a Canadian company to demonstrate that they advertised the position and that Canadian citizens and permanent residents were given a...
by James Pinedo | Jun 2, 2021 | Announcements
We were excited to be a part of the Northeast HR Association’s 2021 Legal Summit last week, serving as a sponsor and absorbing some excellent content from experts across the HR spectrum. NEHRA’s programming struck a few chords that we believe are central to our work...
by James Pinedo | Jun 2, 2021 | Global
This blog post provides an overview of remote work issues in Canada, Italy, and Peru. Canada Working Remotely: Is a Work Permit Required? Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, “work,” for which a foreign national must obtain a valid...
by James Pinedo | Jun 1, 2021 | Immigration Updates
ICE Announces Extension, New Employee Guidance on I-9 Compliance Flexibility In a welcome development, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension until August 31, 2021, of the flexibilities in rules related to Form I-9 compliance that were...
by James Pinedo | May 24, 2021 | Immigration Updates
The role of human resources is more complex than meets the eye. On the surface, it’s about ensuring that a company is appropriately staffed and the workforce has the support it needs to be effective. But the impact of HR is substantially deeper — it’s a lynchpin...
by James Pinedo | May 24, 2021 | Immigration Updates
TPS is back for Haitians! There is a new 18-month designation period for Haitians interested in Temporary Protected Status (TPS). This new TPS designation enables Haitian nationals currently residing in the United States as of May 21, 2021to file initial applications...
by James Pinedo | May 21, 2021 | Announcements
Announced May 20, 2021: WR Immigration has garnered several prestigious rankings in Chambers USA 2021. Firm Awards Include: WR Managing Partner Bernard Wolfsdorf – Eminent PractitionerWR Boston Office – Band 1 Ranking MassachusettsBoston Office Managing...
by James Pinedo | May 18, 2021 | Human Resources Services, Nonimmigrant Visas
With the reduction in available U.S. jobs due to the pandemic and a slowdown in hiring, ways to create “good-paying jobs that can’t be outsourced” are a high priority, as President Joe Biden told Congress in April. It is often said that H-1B workers...
by James Pinedo | May 17, 2021 | Immigration Updates
With the first 100 Days of the Biden Administration behind us, we can confidently say that there is a clear effort underway to improve opportunities for foreign born workers in the U.S. While we may not see comprehensive immigration reform — a highly...
by James Pinedo | May 17, 2021 | Immigration Updates
DHS Announces Continuation of International Entrepreneur Program In another turnaround by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it was announced on May 10, 2021, that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is withdrawing a 2018 proposed rule that...
by James Pinedo | May 12, 2021 | Announcements
Breaking: On May 11, 2021, EB5 Investors Magazine released the 2021 Edition of their awards issue, and in it is listed WR Immigration Managing Partner Bernie Wolfsdorf and Partner Vivian Zhu. Managing Partner Bernard Wolfsdorf Partner Vivian Zhu Congratulations to...
by James Pinedo | May 10, 2021 | Immigration Updates
In the news this issue you’ll read about the refugee cap being raised, withdrawal of a Trump administration proposed rule regarding biometrics use, and relief for asylum applicants waiting for work authorization. President Biden Raises Refugee Cap to 62,500 in FY...
by James Pinedo | May 7, 2021 | Investor Visas
There have been reports that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) will soon be withdrawing the Trump Administration’s plan to remove the International Entrepreneur Parole Program. This would be part of President Biden’s and DHS’ Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’...
