by Frank Alvarado | Feb 6, 2021 | Nonimmigrant Visas
USCIS announced today that the initial registration period for H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern time on March 9 and run through noon Eastern time on March 25. During this period, employers will be able to complete petitioner and beneficiary information and submit...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 3, 2021 | Human Resources Services
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of flexibilities in rules related to Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) compliance due to continued precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy is extended until March 31,...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 1, 2021 | Nonimmigrant Visas
On January 28, 2021, a U.S. district court judge issued a summary judgment order finding that the STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics students) program is a valid exercise of authority under the Immigration and...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 1, 2021 | Permanent Immigration Visas
The Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for February 2021 included the following information on final action date projections (potential monthly movement) for employment-based green card categories through May. The bulletin notes that determination of the actual...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 1, 2021 | Nonimmigrant Visas, Permanent Immigration Visas
On January 20, 2021, a U.S. district court issued a modified order governing the manner and schedule in which the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will reissue certain prevailing wage determinations (PWDs) that were issued...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 28, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel, Immigration Updates
Via a January 25 Presidential Proclamation, President Biden has suspended the entry into the United States of immigrants and nonimmigrants who were physically present within the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom (excluding overseas territories outside of Europe), the...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 28, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel, Immigration Updates
Via a January 25 Presidential Proclamation, President Biden has suspended the entry into the United States of immigrants and nonimmigrants who were physically present within the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom (excluding overseas territories outside of Europe), the...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 26, 2021 | Global
This article provides information about required measles vaccinations for all foreign employees, entry points and other information for unified e-visa holders, and new notification forms being implemented for the employment of foreign workers. Measles Vaccinations...
by kbogucki@longviewstrategies.com | Jan 25, 2021 | Immigration Updates
H-1B cap season is here, and it’s time to think about who might be eligible for an H-1B visa. The H-1B cap registration will take place at the end of March, and USCIS will conduct its lottery in early April. Once the lottery has...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 22, 2021 | Global
In hopes of decreasing the chance of bringing new variants of the coronavirus into the country, the government of the Netherlands is enacting a ban on flights from the United Kingdom, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana,...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 19, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel
In conjunction with the January 26th effective date of CDC testing requirements of a negative Covid-19 test for all international travel to the United States, President Trump has issued a proclamation lifting the travel ban for Brazil, Schengen countries, Ireland and...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 19, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel
In conjunction with the January 26th effective date of CDC testing requirements of a negative Covid-19 test for all international travel to the United States, President Trump has issued a proclamation lifting the travel ban for Brazil, Schengen countries, Ireland and...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 18, 2021 | Permanent Immigration Visas
The Situation Imagine a foreign national who established a software development company which won numerous national and international technology and business awards and then received multimillion-dollar investments to expand the company’s capabilities. Imagine the...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 18, 2021 | Naturalization
A new trend in naturalization adjudications seems to be occurring at USCIS. Recently, USCIS has been asking for the following documents when permanent resident status was obtained through employment-based preferences: Payroll records W-2s Employment Verification...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 15, 2021 | Immigration Updates, Permanent Immigration Visas
Briefing: Starting in January, applicants who file Form I-90 to replace an expiring green card will receive a revised receipt notice, which together with an applicant’s PRC, will serve as temporary evidence of lawful permanent resident status for 12 months from the...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 15, 2021 | Immigration Updates, Nonimmigrant Visas, Permanent Immigration Visas
Briefing: The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a new rule that will raise prevailing wages at all levels in a phased period beginning July 2021. The rule would take full effect for some employees a year later, and full implementation for visa holders extending...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 14, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel
Effective Jan. 26, 2021, a new CDC policy will require all international air passengers, including American citizens, to provide proof of a negative covid-19 test before boarding international flights to the United States. The covid-19 test must be taken within three...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 14, 2021 | Consular Services & Travel
Effective Jan. 26, 2021, a new CDC policy will require all international air passengers, including American citizens, to provide proof of a negative covid-19 test before boarding international flights to the United States. The covid-19 test must be taken within three...
by kbogucki@longviewstrategies.com | Jan 13, 2021 | Announcements
Critical Immigration and Tax Issues for Start-Ups from Founding through IPO Presented by WR Immigration and DLA Piper Global Law Firm, Part 1 of this webinar series provides essential information and guidance to start-ups on immigration and tax challenges. ...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 12, 2021 | Immigration Updates, Individual Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the filing period for certain Liberian nationals and family members to apply for adjustment of status under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness provision has been extended until December 20, 2021....
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 8, 2021 | Immigration Updates, Nonimmigrant Visas
On January 8, 2021, new rules will be published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) impacting the H-1B visa lottery to be held in March 2021. The “midnight” regulation is scheduled to take effect on March 9, 2021. While this could impact future cap...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 5, 2021 | Immigration Updates, Nonimmigrant Visas, Permanent Immigration Visas
Overview On June 22, 2020, Presidential Proclamation 10052 entitled “Suspension of entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Present a Risk to the United States labor Market During Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Coronavirus Outbreak” was issued to...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 4, 2021 | Global
It’s official: Brexit has now taken effect as of 11pm on 31 December 2020. It is no secret that this will have a major impact on almost every area of life in the UK. Perhaps one of the most significant changes will be the UK’s immigration system – the shift from...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 31, 2020 | Permanent Immigration Visas
Employment-Based Adjustments USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment applications in December from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Final Action Dates (Chart A) listed in the State Department’s January Visa Bulletin. Therefore...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 30, 2020 | Consular Services & Travel, Nonimmigrant Visas
Briefing: Secretary Pompeo, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification....
