NURSES AND PHYSICAL THERAPISTS QUALIFY FOR AN EXPEDITED GREEN CARD PROCESS

Rising demand for nursing staff and a falling supply of nurses has contributed to the largest nursing shortage the U.S. has ever experienced, and is expected to intensify through 2023. Fortunately, there is a way for hospitals and health care providers to augment their staff with qualified nurses from abroad through a faster path to a Green Card than is available for other professions.

Copies (Instead of Original Signatures) Permanently Permitted by USCIS

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. On July 25, 2022, USCIS announced that it will continue accepting copies of original signatures on all forms and documents as a permanent policy. This makes permanent the temporary signature policy that USCIS announced in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that petitioners and beneficiaries can submit …

Ukrainians Already in the United States May Be Able to Stay for 2 Years with Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Ukrainian nationals who entered the United States on or before April 11, 2022, and who have maintained continuous presence in the US since April 19, 2022, may be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The Secretary of Homeland Security from time-to-time designates a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily …

Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Cards (EAD) Increased to 540 Days for Certain Visa Categories

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. In light of continued processing delays at USCIS, a temporary final rule has been announced to automatically increase Employment Authorization Card extensions from 180 days, to 540 days. The extension will begin from the expiration date of the employment authorization and/or EAD, and is available for applicants with pending Form I-765 …

USCIS Adds Premium Processing Service for Forms I-765, I-539, and I-140

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. Major news for those seeking faster processing times to obtain their Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Green Card petition based on employment, and application to change or extend status! USCIS will roll out new phases of premium processing expansion throughout FY 2022 as part of a collective effort to reduce backlogs and …

Additional 35,000 H-2B Visas to Be Released for April to September season 2022

by Jennifer Grady, Esq. In response to worker shortages and the upcoming spring/summer season, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) announced the imminent release of 35,000 additional H-2B visas for employers seeking to employ additional workers on or after April 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2022. The publication of the …

COVID-19 Vaccine Required for Immigrant Visa/Green Card Applicants

Starting October 1st, 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine will be the latest addition to the list of required vaccinations for applicants of Adjustment of Status for Green Card in the U.S., and for applicants applying for an immigrant visa from abroad. Currently, there are 14 required vaccinations for those applying for green card or permanent residence …

USCIS Continues to make Marijuana Activity a “Conditional Bar” to Obtaining U.S. Citizenship Despite Local Decriminalization

Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels Thirty-three US states, The District of Columbia, and at least 26 countries around the world have legalized the production and use of cannabis for medical, and, in some jurisdictions, for recreational use.  This wave of legalization has led to a growing and dynamic industry that employs thousands of individuals …

Immigration As Usual? Moving Forward in Times of Uncertainty

by Anthony Mance, Esq. and Jennifer Grady, Esq. Recent announcements by the Trump Administration declaring enhanced vetting of current immigration cases; talks in Congress about major proposed changes to the immigration laws; and constant media discourse regarding the future of DACA, the Travel Ban, employment-based visas, and increased waiting times, may have the effect of …

L-1B Intracompany Transferee Visa for Employees With Specialized Knowledge

The L-1B visa permits a U.S. employer to transfer a professional employee with specialized knowledge from one of its foreign offices to one of its U.S. offices.  There is also the option for a foreign company that does not yet have an office in the U.S. to send an employee with specialized knowledge to the states …

Now is the Time to Start Preparing Your H-1B Visa Application

The H-1B visa is one of the most popular ways for foreign professionals in specialty occupations to obtain a work visa, and even a Green Card in the United States.  A successful H-1B application requires sponsorship by the professional’s employer, and can be granted for three years, with one additional three-year renewal. The H-1B allows …

Take Action on Your Immigration Application Before Fees Increase 12/23 and a New Administration Takes Office in January

If you are planning to file an application for a visa, Green Card, or naturalization, we highly recommend you do so before the end of the year.  Filing fees will increase by an average of 21% on December 23, 2016.  In addition, due to the uncertainty of the transition to a new President and GOP-majority …

USCIS To Increase Filing Fees on December 23, 2016

For the first time in six years, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased its filing fees by a weighted average of 21% for numerous immigration applications and petitions.  USCIS announced the increase in a final rule published in the Federal Register, noting that the increase will go into effect on December 23, 2016. …