Updates

Word to the Wise

WORD TO THE WISE Many employers wait until one year before the end of the authorized nonimmigrant status or even afterwards to start the immigrant visa processing for H and L visa holders. Our staff is finding that the US Department of Labor processing of a labor certification will take more than one year to […]

COVID-19 Testing For Travelers from China to U.S.

COVID-19 Testing For Travelers from China to U.S.   Due to the recent volume of COVID-19 cases in China, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is requiring certain travelers to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of recent recovery effective January 5, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time.   Specifically, this policy applies […]

New Process for Venezuelans with Gee & Zhang

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new process that allows certain Venezuelan nationals and immediate family members to come to the United States. The new Process for Venezuelans is intended to provide a safe and orderly way for people from Venezuela who are outside the U.S. and lack U.S. entry documents to […]

Visa Numbers Exhausted for EB-1, EB-2 & October 2022 Retrogression

Visa Numbers Exhausted for EB-1, EB-2 & October 2022 Retrogression As part of the ongoing lawsuit Pritish Madhavan v. Ur Jaddou, the government recently disclosed important information about employment-based green card visa numbers. The government revealed visa numbers for EB-1 and EB-2 have been completely used for this fiscal year ending September 30, 2022. It also […]

The United States designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status

The United States designates Ukraine for Temporary Protected Status On 03/03/2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Ukraine was designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, due to the ongoing armed conflict preventing safe return to the country. To be eligible for TPS under the Ukraine designation, individuals must have continuously […]

EAD & Advance Parole Card Changes

EAD & Advance Parole Card Changes   USCIS recently indicated a significant change in policy regarding issuance of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and Advance Parole for green card applicants. “Combination cards” have been issued for many years as part of the green card process and serve as proof of both employment and travel authorization during […]

U.S. Tightens COVID-19 Testing Restrictions

U.S. Tightens COVID-19 Testing Restrictions The Biden administration announced stricter COVID-19 testing requirements for international travelers to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. Effective Monday December 6, 2021, all travelers to the United States must provide a negative COVID-19 test result received within one day of departure to the U.S. or proof of recent […]

COVID-19 Update: New Travel Restrictions for South Africa and Seven Other African Countries

COVID-19 Update: New Travel Restrictions for South Africa and Seven Other African Countries Effective today, President Biden has imposed new travel restrictions on South Africa and seven other African countries due to the Omicron COVID-19 variant. These new travel restrictions mark a partial return to the geographic-based travel bans that the Biden administration previously moved […]