USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to USCIS Requests Through End of 2020

Washington, D.C., September 11, 2020: In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it is extending a measure recently adopted 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 today confirms that […]

Latest Research Shows the Positive Effects of Immigration in the U.S.

Washington, D.C., September 10, 2020: Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Northwestern University completed new research that shows that immigrants have largely positive effects as job-creators in the U.S. economy. In the past, the dominant theory of immigration on the U.S. economy is that of a zero-sum-game: immigrants take […]

British Columbia Issues 67 Invitations In The New Tech Pilot Draw

On September 08, 2020, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 67 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the technology sector to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence. BC PNP Tech Pilot draw issued ITAs to candidates under the Express Entry BC and Skills immigration categories as explained in the table below: […]

British Columbia Issues 428 Invitations In The New PNP Draw

On September 1, 2020, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 428 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 […]

Minimum Score for the All Program Express Entry Draw Drops by 1 Point

On September 2,2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued 4,200 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) in its most recent all-program draw. The minimum score in the September 2nd draw was 475, 1 point lower than the previous all-program draw. In the August 5th invitation round held last month, candidates needed a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) […]

Seven Things to Know About the Public Charge Rule

1. What does the Public Charge Rule Require? The Public Charge Rule create a bar to admission to the US as a lawful permanent resident (i.e., a Green Card holder) or a temporary non-immigrant (such as students, visitors and people seeking work visas). If applicants are not able to overcome the requirements of the Public […]

EB-5 Program Benefits from Revised Accredited Investor Definition

Washington D.C., Aug. 26, 2020: The Securities and Exchange Commission today adopted amendments to the “accredited investor” definition, one of the principal tests for determining who is eligible to participate in our private capital markets. Historically, individual investors who do not meet specific income or net worth tests, regardless of their financial sophistication, have been […]

DHS Announces Flexibility Policy For Delayed EAD Cards

Washington, D.C., August 27, 2020: The Department of Homeland Security announced on August 20, 2020, a flexibility policy intended to overcome significant delays experienced by USCIS in production of Employment Authorization Documents (“EAD”). EAD cards are temporary work permits for people who hold valid visa status in the U.S., but whose visa is not inherently […]

Ontario Issues 703 Notifications of Interest In The Human Capital Priorities Stream

On August 26, 2020, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) issued 703 targeted Notifications of Interest (NOIs) to candidates who may qualify for Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream and have specific work experience. The OINP in its latest tech draw targeted candidates with a (Comprehensive Ranking System) CRS between 466 and 475, and work […]

British Columbia Issues 72 Invitations In The New Tech Pilot Draw

On August 25, 2020, the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) issued 72 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) under the technology sector to apply for a provincial nomination for permanent residence. BC PNP Tech Pilot draw issued ITAs to candidates under the Express Entry BC and Skills immigration categories as explained in the table below: […]