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USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2012 H-1B Cap

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2012. USCIS is notifying the public that yesterday, Nov. 22, 2011, was the final receipt date for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2012.

WRD (Waiver Review Division) and Waiver Application Issues

Certain exchange visitors (J-1) are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement which requires you to return to your home country for at least two years at the end of your exchange visitor program. This is also known as the foreign residence requirement under U.S. law, Immigration and Nationality Act, section 212(e).

DOS Releases 2011 Annual Adoption Report

Media Note Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC
November 18, 2011

The Department of State is pleased to announce the release of the 2011 Annual Adoption Report to Congress, which coincides with National Adoption Month. This year, we welcomed Kazakhstan and Ireland as new parties to the Hague Adoption Convention. The Convention provides the best framework for ethical, transparent intercountry adoptions and ensures that adoptions are conducted in the best interest of children.

DHS Publishes Final Rule on DHS/USCIS System Exemptions Due to the Privacy Act

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 15, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70638-70639]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29452]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Office of the Secretary

6 CFR Part 5

[Docket No. DHS-2011-0109]

DOL Posted PERM FAQ on on Job Requirements Considered Not Normal to the Occupation

The Department of Labor has posted a revised Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) regarding the Permanent (PERM) Program and listing job requirements not normal to the occupation on both the ETA Form 9141 Prevailing Wage Request and ETA Form 9089. This FAQ, which replaces the previous notice that had references to the State Workforce Agency (SWA), is available here and on the FAQs page of the OFLC Web site under the heading PERM Program and subheading Job Requirements/Duties.

U.S. Department of State Expedites Student Visa Processing

Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
November 14, 2011

During International Education Week, the U.S. Department of State highlights existing efforts to attract future leaders from abroad to take advantage of the exceptional educational opportunities in the United States. We also recognize that foreign students bring with them tremendous intellectual, social, and economic benefits. As part of these efforts, the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs gives student visa appointments special priority.