publication descriptionPublished by: The Economic Times - Jan 25, 2021
Synopsis:
publication descriptionBiden’s administration has already withdrawn the regulation that was not yet published: the USCIS regulation that redefined employer-employee relationship to a far stricter level than we have ever had before, and required end-clients to be actively involved in the H-1B process.
Published by: The Times of India - Date: January 28, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv S Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com told TOI, "The May 14, timeline should take us past the H-1B lottery, if the Labour Condition Application (LCA) process is done before the kick-off date." The registration for H-1B applications (petitions) for the coming season is expected to commence in March. The lottery will be held in April.
Release Date 01/28/2021
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors who are responding to certain:
Jan 27, 2021 Radio Show with Rajiv S. Khanna Topics of discussion:
Wage hike rule that raised required wages disproportionately has been delayed to May 14 (beyond this year's H-1B lottery). Future proposed changes for STEM graduates and pending green cards.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for latest immigration updates in Biden AdministrationThe URL for the channel is:http://youtube.com/immigrationdotcom
Number 53
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during May for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
As I had said in our last community conference call, our office inquired. A USCIS officer advised not to submit medicals without an RFE. He said wait for the RFE or bring them to the interview.
Release Date
04/27/2021
USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual instructing officers to give deference to prior determinations when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts unless there was a material error, material change, or new material facts.
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: April 28, 2021
Synopsis
New or Initial F and M students who were not previously enrolled in a program of study on March 9, 2020, will not be able to enter the United States as a nonimmigrant student for the 2021-22 academic year if their course of study is 100 percent online.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
Published by: The Times of India - Date: April 28, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv S. Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com told TOI, “Business entities make plans based on consistency and predictability – not being able to rely on the availability of professional workers was not conducive to business nor to non-citizen workers.”
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Document Verification Request Supplement
04/08/2021 07:54 AM EDT
Starting June 28, 2021, USCIS will only accept the 04/08/21 edition. Until then, you can also use the 05/29/18 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
04/08/2021 07:36 AM EDT
Discussion Topics, Thursday, April 29, 2021:
FAQ: Options for potential H-4 dependent visa holder continuing their employment in India || Applying for a green card while on F-1 Student status or OPT
6 May 2021
As of today, there are no updates from the government beyond what was on the US Consulate website
On 30 April 2021, President Biden placed a restriction on travel to the US.
The term Change of Status (COS) is the name given to the process through which a person can change from one temporary status (nonimmigrant) to another temporary status without having to leave the United States. Typical examples of this process are changing from a student visa status to H-1B. Usually, a successful COS is evidenced by the USCIS issuing you a new I-94.
Changing status from a temporary visa to a green card within the United States is also a change of status, but it is technically referred to as Adjustment of Status (AOS).
Visa Services Operating Status Update from DOS
Last Updated: April 6, 2021
Release Date
04/12/2021
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing under one of these categories:
Published by: The Times of India - Date: April 17, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
FAQS: H-1B revoked after 1 October, never used. Am I quota exempt? Travel while I-485 AOS is pending: returning on H-1B visa, AP, AVR etc.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition
12/21/2020 11:22 AM EST
Starting June 18, 2021, USCIS will only accept the 12/21/20 edition. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
12/21/2020 09:45 AM EST
Discussing allegations of fraud and consequences when a short-term visa holder tries to convert to green card or another long-term visa from within the US.
The US State Department has made the following announcement today regarding the phased resumption of visa services.
Release Date
04/01/2021
USCIS confirmed that for all forms it has reverted to the form rejection criteria it applied before October 2019 regarding blank responses.
In 2019, USCIS changed the form rejection criteria for: