by Frank Alvarado | Oct 2, 2024 | Immigration Updates, Permanent Immigration Visas
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DIVP) is a government lottery program that offers a straightforward path to obtaining U.S. Permanent Residence (green card). This program allocates 50,000 visas annually to applicants from countries with low rates of immigration...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 19, 2024 | Immigration Updates
Top News Annual Limit Reached in Several Employment-Based Categories October 2024 Visa Bulletin Quota Reset OFLC Announces Delay in Transition Schedule for H-2A Applications and Job Orders Under 2024 Farmworker Protection Final Rule OFLC Releases Public Disclosure...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 16, 2024 | Immigration Updates, Investor Visas
By Joey Barnett WR Immigration has obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request new data related to the number of Form I-526E Petitions received by Fiscal Year, Beneficiary Country of Birth, and Investment Type. This shows total filings from 2022 until...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 11, 2024 | Immigration Updates, Investor Visas
By Joey Barnett and Charlie Oppenheim The Department of State has just released the October 2024 Visa Bulletin, and it shows very good news for the new Reform and Integrity Act EB-5 program and for Chinese and Indians waiting in line under the prior EB-5 program. Here...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 3, 2024 | Global
WR Immigration’s September global immigration updates include the latest developments on the UK’s eVisas to replace BRP cards, EU’s new Entry/Exit System, Italy’s Updated Immigration Violation Penalties, and much more! Canada Employment and Social...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 30, 2024 | Immigration Updates
Employment Based Immigrant Visa Limits Met for FY2024 – Q&A with Charlie Oppenheim (Past DOS Chief, Visa Controls) Charles Oppenheim, WR Immigration’s Director of Visa Consulting and a retired U.S. Department of State Chief of Visa Controls, brings unmatched...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 23, 2024 | Immigration Updates
Annual Limit Reached in the EB-3 and EW Categories All legally available visas in the EB-3 (3rd preference) and EW (Other Workers) categories for FY 2024 have been issued. Embassies and consulates should have been allocated enough numbers for all applicants...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 1, 2024 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, find the latest news on a Second H-1B Lottery, the Visa Bulletin, STEM Degrees added to Program List, and much more! Second H-1B Lottery Selection Just Announced On July 30, 2024, USCIS announced that it will conduct a second round of the H-1B cap...
by Frank Alvarado | Jul 1, 2024 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, find the latest news on Spousal Work Authorization, TPS Work Permits, the Exchange Visitor Program, and much more! President Announces New Measures for Spousal Work Authorization, DACA Recipients On June 18, 2024, President Biden announced measures...
by Frank Alvarado | Jun 21, 2024 | Immigration Updates
By Ceri Koski and Charina Garcia What does this week’s “Keeping Families Together” initiative mean for corporate immigration? In the light of the White House’s June 18th announcement to provide work visas and a green card pathway for long-term residents of the U.S.,...
by Frank Alvarado | May 1, 2024 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, find the latest news on H-2B visas, agricultural workers, I-765 fees, and much more! DOL Amends Regulations on Certification for Temporary/Seasonal Nonimmigrant Agricultural Workers Effective June 28, 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) is amending...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 24, 2024 | Global
WR Immigration’s April global immigration updates include the latest developments on Australia’s work visa category, Brazil’s e-visa requirements, new Canada entry requirements, and much more! Australia Australia is poised to adopt a new Skills in Demand...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 19, 2024 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, find the latest news on Schedule A expansion, the H-1B Cap registration, EB-5 audit measures, and much more! Expansion of Schedule A, Group II Definition to Support STEM Talent In a significant development for employers and individuals involved in the...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 2, 2024 | Immigration Updates, Investor Visas
By Joey Barnett The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”) created new EB-5 reserved visa set-aside categories which allow certain visa bearing nonimmigrants lawfully in the U.S. to concurrently file an adjustment of status application on Form I-485 with the...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 13, 2024 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, find the latest news on H-2B Cap, Visa Final Action Dates, H-1B Registration, and much more! USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Second Half of FY 2024, Announces Filing Dates for Supplemental Visas U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 12, 2024 | Immigration Updates, Investor Visas
By Joey Barnett The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) finally released its long-awaited Report of the Visa Office 2023 over the weekend. In particular, we have been waiting for the release of Table V, which counts the full number of immigrant visa numbers issued in FY...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 28, 2024 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, find the latest news on E-Verify+ services, Premium Processing Fees, CIS Ombudsman tips, and much more! E-Verify to Pilot ‘Next Generation’ Service in Spring 2024 E-Verify announced on February 22, 2024, that it will launch its “next...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 8, 2024 | Immigration Updates, Investor Visas
CONDITIONAL EB-5 PERMANENT RESIDENTS WHO FILE FORM I-829 REMOVAL OF PETITIONS BEFORE APRIL 1, 2024, CAN SAVE $5,775 By Joey Barnett This final rule increasing the government filing fee is effective April 1, 2024. Any benefit request postmarked on or after this date...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 5, 2024 | Human Resources Services, Immigration Updates
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...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 5, 2024 | Announcements
Highlighting WR Immigration’s continued commitment to Journey Forward while providing our clients the best legal experience, we are pleased to announce the opening of our new Denver office led by law partner Ceridwen Koski. Ceri joins the WR Immigration team...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 1, 2024 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, find the latest news on DOS’ latest H-1B Guidance, DHS TPS and Student Relief, USCIS’ “Extraordinary Circumstances” and much more! DOS Provides Guidance, FAQs on Domestic Renewal of H-1B Visas for Certain Applicants The...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 24, 2024 | Immigration Updates, Individual Services, Investor Visas
By Joey Barnett The White House received the final rule containing new USCIS fees on Monday, January 8, 2024, and the Final Fee Rule should be published within the next few weeks. USCIS has stated that a significant increase in immigration filing fees is necessary to...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 24, 2024 | Global
WR Immigration’s January global immigration updates include the latest developments in the Workforce Australia site, China business and tourist visas, Brazil’s e-visa platform, Ukrainian TPS, and much more! Australia The Australian government has announced that...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 23, 2024 | Human Resources Services, Immigration Updates
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...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 17, 2024 | Immigration Updates
In this edition, find the latest news on USCIS’ Organizational Accounts, H-2B Visa Cap Reached, USCIS Filing Fees, and much more! USCIS to Launch Organizational Accounts, Enabling ‘Online Collaboration’ and Submission of H-1B Registrations U.S. Citizenship and...
