USCIS Announces New Edition of Form I-526 to be Accepted on or after 08/28/2017
On 06/28/2017, USCIS announced that it has updated Form I-526 to a new edition dated 05/30/2017. This edition will replace the previously issued 04/10/17 edition which was released only recently. Beginning on 08/28/2017, USCIS will only accept the 05/30/17 edition. Until then, petitioners can use the 04/10/17 edition. The public can find the edition date at the USCIS website, uscis.gov, which […]
New Form I-526 – Accepted on or after 06/09/2017
Starting 06/09/17, USCIS will only accept the 04/10/17 edition. Until then, petitioners can use the 12/23/16 edition. The public can find the edition date at the USCIS website, uscis.gov, which sets out the form and instructions. You can schedule a consultation by calling (301) 276-0653
Congress Extends EB-5 Regional Center Program Until September 30, 2017 while Negotiations Continue
May 3, 2107 Congress has agreed to extend the EB-5 Regional Center program until September 30, 2017 with no changes. The extension of the EB-5 Regional Center program without changes is a significant step forward in the continuity of the program, and opens the door to continued negotiations among legislators over the future requirements of […]
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT VOTES TO END VISA FREE VISITOR TRAVEL BY U.S. CITIZENS
March 3, 2017 The European Parliament took a vote to end visa-free travel for U.S. citizens to countries in the European Union, including France, Italy, Spain and Germany. This is the first step in suspending the mutual visa-free reciprocity agreement between the European Union and the United States. The European Union and the United States […]
USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing for H-1B Visas
March 5, 2017 U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is temporarily suspending accelerated processing known as “Premium Processing” of skilled worker visas under the H-1B visa program. The Premium Processing offers employers a 15-calendar day turn-around time for H-1B visa applications for an additional fee of $1225. This new announcement comes as U.S. companies prepare […]
Three Key Points from the EB-5 Stakeholder Engagement of March 3, 2017
On Friday, March 3, 2017, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) held a public stakeholder engagement in Washington, D.C. Some important announcements were made, which we summarize below: Continued Increase in Popularity of EB-5 Visas In the period between October 2016 and December 2016, the USCIS Investor Program Office (“IPO”) confirmed a surge in new […]
Federal Court of Appeal for the 9th Circuit Upholds Block on Executive Order
Feb 10, 2017 On February 9, 2017, the federal Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued a decision refusing to lift the block on President Trump’s Executive Order banning persons from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya and Somalia. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the U.S. federal government did not demonstrate […]
New Executive Order and Temporary Travel Ban
January 30, 2017 On Friday, January 27th, 2017, President Trump issued an executive order which has implemented an immediately effective travel ban on citizens of the following seven designated countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for a period of ninety (90) days. This includes Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs), nonimmigrant visa holders, immigrant […]
USCIS Releases Draft EB-5 Regulations
January 11, 2017 After months of waiting, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) finally released the full text of the proposed EB-5 regulations (NPRM) on Jan. 12, 2017. The key details of the proposed rule would significantly change the EB-5 regional center program: USCIS proposes to increase the minimum investment amount for non-Targeted Employment Areas […]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE RELEASED JANUARY 2017 VISA BULLETIN
The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) just released the January 2017 visa bulletin. Certain categories have move forward, including a two-week jump for the EB-5 category final action date for petitioners from the People’s Republic of China. USCIS has not yet advised whether it will accept adjustment of status applications for family- or employment-based petitions […]