Travel Alert after EO

On Friday, January 27, 2017, President Trump signed an Executive Order stating “I hereby proclaim that the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens from countries referred to in section 217(a)(12) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1187(a)(12), would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry […]

USCIS New Fee Schedule effective December 23rd 2016

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had proposed to increase the filing fees for applications and petitions filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in May of this year. According to DHS, the fee increase is to alleviate their projected annual shortfall of about $550 million that reflects the costs of processing immigration petitions […]

National Interest Waiver Webinar

  10 Tips for your NIW Application Are you or somebody you know an individual of exceptional ability in the Sciences, Arts or Business? Or an advanced degree professional? Then check out our Webinar! NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVER WEBINAR The national interest waiver (NIW) is for aliens of exceptional ability in sciences, arts or business and […]

I-485 Filing Dates: DOS Visa Bulletin vs. USCIS Determination

Effective this month, the monthly Visa Bulletin from the DOS contains two charts, one listing Application Final Action Dates (“Final Action Dates”) and the other listing Dates for Filing Applications (“Filing Dates”). The Final Action Dates are dates when applications for adjustment of status or immigrant visas may finally be approved/issued, while filing dates are […]

Visa numbers are available! But wait…do I need that shot?

Many prospective Adjustment of Status applicants are aware of the requirement to undergo a medical examination by a USCIS designated Civil Surgeon. An often over looked aspect of the exam, however, is the need to provide immunization records to avoid duplicative inoculations. It often takes time to locate immunization records, particularly when they are kept […]

Visa Bulletin Update: EB Immigrant Visa Availability

Update: current employment-based immigrant visa availability and prediction for FY-2013 (10/01/2012 — 09/30/2013) Recently we received many inquiries on the availability of employment-based immigrant visa numbers and in response, we felt it would be helpful to provide some additional information on how the visa numbers are allocated as well as an update on the projected […]