British Columbia Issues 208 Invitations in The New Draw

On February 02, 2021, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 208 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the Skills Immigration (SIBC) and Express Entry (EEBC) categories to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence. These streams are intended for workers or international graduates with the skills, education and/or experience required for high-demand […]

Alberta Launches the Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream to Attract Talented International Graduates

The Government of Alberta on January 27, 2021, launched a new immigration pathway to encourage international graduates to open businesses in Alberta that will create new high-paying jobs for Albertans and help diversify the economy. The Foreign Graduate Start-Up Visa Stream (FGSVS) is an economic immigration program that nominates talented and qualified foreign educated graduates […]

Denial of H-1B Extensions and Adjustment of Status

Washington, D.C., February 5, 2021: Does filing I-485 Adjustment of Status (“AOS”) cure the denial of an H-1B extension that occurred prior to filing AOS? The answer, according to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in California is, sadly, “no”. Lawful Visa Status and Period of Authorized Stay Foreign workers in the United States on […]

Are You Ready for the H-1B Visa Lottery 2021?

Why is there an H-1B Visa Lottery? Annually, USCIS issues a maximum of 65,000 new H-1Bs, plus 20,000 H1Bs reserved persons holding a Master’s or Ph.D. from a U.S. university. The popularity of the H-1B visa program is great. Recent data confirms that annual demand for new H-1B visas more than double, and sometimes more than triple, the total number of […]

President Biden Orders Review of Public Charge Rule

Washington, D.C., February 2, 2021: Tonight, President Biden issued an executive order requiring the U.S. Government to engage in an “immediate” review of the “Public Charge Rule” that requires immigrants to the U.S. to show that they have the financial means to pay for the stay and have not relied on means-tested public benefits in […]

What’s Next for the EB-5 Program?

Washington, D.C., February 2, 2021: The EB-5 Regional Center program was renewed until June 30, 2021 as part of the last continuing resolution passed by Congress and approved by former President Trump to keep the US Government operating. This type of continuing resolution has been used to extend the EB-5 Regional Center program in small […]

Biden Orders Review of Trump Border Measures

Washington, D.C., February 2, 2021: President Biden is expected to announce today that The White House will initiate a broad review of President Trump’s border measures. Among President Trump’s most controversial measures were the family separation policy, the policy of requiring asylum applicants to wait in Mexico before being allowed to enter the U.S., and […]

USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to USCIS Requests Through March 2021

Washington, D.C., January 31, 2021: In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is extending a measure adopted nearly a year ago to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to requests for evidence (RFEs), notices of intent to deny (NOIDs) and other USCIS requests. USCIS’ announcement […]

Federal Court Upholds Optional Practical Training for Students

Washington, D.C., January 29, 2021: Recently, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s regulation that created the Optional Practical Training Program (known also by its initials, OPT). The OPT program allows qualifying students in the United States on F-1 academic student visas who graduate from an eligible […]

Texas Federal Court Suspends Biden Order on Deportations

WAshington, D.C., January 27, 2021: A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked the Biden administration’s Executive Order granting a 100-day moratorium on deportations of some undocumented immigrants. The Judge’s temporary order will be in place for 14 days. The Judge issued the order at the request of the Texas Attorney General, who filed suit […]