USCIS Streamlines Work Authorization Forms to Include Social Security Number Application

Washington, D.C., October 2, 2017 – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced today new time-saving procedures for persons who are eligible to obtain a temporary work permit in the U.S. Under U.S. immigration law, certain persons are allowed to obtain a work permit derived from their valid visa status or eligibility classification. This work […]

In-Person Interviews for EB-5 Adjustment of Status Applications and I-829 Petitions

Washington D.C., September 24, 2017 — On August 28, 2017, the USCIS notified the public that it will require in-person interviews for all employment-based adjustment of status applicants (Form I-485). The effective date for these changes is October 1, 2017.   Current Policy Presently, USCIS generally waives in-person interviews for adjustment of status applicants who […]

Trump limita la emisión de visas de turismo para empleados del gobierno venezolano

Washington D.C., 24 de septiembre de 2017 — El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, restringirá la entrada a funcionarios de Venezuela a los Estados Unidos como parte del nuevo veto migratorio (“travel ban”) que también incluye restricciones a Corea del Norte, Irán, Chad, Libia, Siria, Yemen y Somalia, dijo la administración estadounidense este domingo […]

USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for All New H-1B Visa Petitions Under 2018 Cap

September 19, 2017 – U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will again accept Premium Processing applications for all H-1B temporary skilled worker petitions filed under the Fiscal Year 2018 cap. Premium Processing is a USCIS service offering a response with 15-calendar days of filing. Premium Processing costs an additional $1,225 in […]

Interest in EB-5 Visas in India Jumps Forward in 2017

Indian investors are pursing EB-5 immigrant investor visas in greater numbers than ever before. The EB-5 immigrant visa allows qualifying investors to receive green cards, based on an investment of US$500,000 in the U.S. that creates at least 10 new jobs. The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) statistics show that Indian investors and their families received 149 […]

Has the President’s “Buy American Hire American” Policy Impacted the U.S. Visa System?

September 18, 2017 – On April 18, 2017, the President held a press conference to issue a new executive order entitled “Buy American and Hire American”. This Executive Order sets out the core concept that the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government will seek to buy American and Hire American, and will seek to promote policies that […]

October Visa Bulletin Shows Small Progress for China EB-5

September 13, 2017 – The U.S. Department of State recently released the October 2017 Visa Bulletin. The October Visa Bulletin shows a one-week jump for the Mainland China EB-5 category Final Action Date, which is now at June 22, 2014. Additionally, the October Visa Bulletin shows that the EB-1 categories for India and Mainland China […]

House and Senate Approve EB-5 Program Extension, Disaster Relief and Debt Ceiling Increase

September 8, 2017 – The House of Representatives (lower chamber of Congress) and the Senate (upper chamber of Congress) have approved new legislation which includes a three-month continuing resolution to fund the U.S. government until December 8, 2017. The continuing resolution also extends, without changes, four immigration programs until December 8, 2017: the EB-5 Regional […]

OMB Sets April 2018 Deadline for DHS EB-5 Regulations

September 5, 2017 – The EB-5 immigrant investor regional center program may wait until April 2018 before it sees final rulemaking changes, according to an updated rulemaking timetable published by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). In January 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its proposed amendments to Immigrant Investor EB-5 regulations, […]

EB-5 Regional Center Program Outlook: Extension and Reform or RAISE Act?

As we reach the end of August 2017, legislators on Capitol Hill and regulators at USCIS have been tight-lipped about the future of the EB-5 Regional Center Program that is due to expire on September 30, 2017. As discrete negotiations among elected officials continue, observers do expect a legislative solution, but few are predicting with […]