H-1B Cap Season March 4th to 19th
USCIS has announced that the FY 2027 H-1B cap initial registration period will open on March 4, 2026, at 12:00pm Eastern time and will close on March 19th, at 12:00pm Eastern time.
Employers seeking to register prospective H-1B workers may submit electronic registrations beginning March 4 through their organizational USCIS online...
H-1B Cap Season March 4th to 19th Continue reading…Employers seeking to register prospective H-1B workers may submit electronic registrations beginning March 4 through their organizational USCIS online...
USCIS to Raise Premium Processing Fees
Today, USCIS published a final rule increasing premium processing fees, effective March 1, 2026. Requests for premium processing postmarked on or after March 1, 2026, must include the new fee amount for the requested benefit. See the announcement USCIS released last week for more...
USCIS to Raise Premium Processing Fees Continue reading…Proposed Rule to Collect Biometrics from All
Department of Homeland Security proposed a rule that “any applicant, petitioner, sponsor, supporter, derivative, dependent, beneficiary or individual filing or associated with a benefit or other request or collection of information … must submit biometrics.” Additional proposals included forcing DNA as evidence of a genetic relationship when relevant to statutory eligibility for an immigration-related...
Proposed Rule to Collect Biometrics from All Continue reading…DOL Resumed Application Processing
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) resumed processing its LCAs on Form 9035 used for H-1Bs and E-3 visas, as well as the PERM applications including Form ETA9141 and ETA9089. Visit the OFLC here for processing times on the various forms and applications: https://flag.dol.gov/processingtimes Note, the...
Electronic Payments Only
Effective today, USCIS only accepts electronic payments for fee services using Form G-1450 for credit card payments and G-1650 for ACH payments. In an ongoing shift to electronic intakes, USCIS encourages benefit requestors to use USCIS online filings to submit cases.
New Naturalization Test Implemented
USCIS is now requiring applicants for Naturalization to take a new civics test changing from the 10-question model to a 20-question model requiring 12 to pass. Studying for the Civics Test has never been more important. Our firm is also recommending that applicants be ready to answer questions, during the Citizenship Interview, about their...
New Naturalization Test Implemented Continue reading…AOS Applications Do Not Require $1000 Advance Parole Fee
The new immigration parole fee of $1000 for returning people thankfully does not apply to applicants for adjustment of status who are returning to the United States after temporary foreign travel. They are exempt from submitting it at a port of entry. Read more about the Parole Fee here: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-implements-new-immigration-parole-fee-required-by-hr-1
Good Moral Character will be Assessed to Attain U.S. Citizenship
Resting on the long-standing requirement to show that good moral character is needed to become a U.S. citizen, policy published in August 2025 now allows USCIS officers expanded discretionary authority when reviewing the U.S. Citizenship Application. Officers will be looking for general signs of bad moral character (anti-American ideologies, support of terrorist...
Good Moral Character will be Assessed to Attain U.S. Citizenship Continue reading…Waiver of Interviews Still Available
The State Department added some categories of people who may be eligible for a waiver of the in-person interview for a non-immigrant visa. Generally, a person must be applying in their country of residence and on previous occasions, must have never been refused a visa. One is generally eligible for an interview waiver if...
Waiver of Interviews Still Available Continue reading…Fixed Periods for F Students, J Exchange Visitors, and I Visas
US Department of Homeland Security has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to change for F Students, J Exchange Visitors and I Information Workers from “duration of status" to a fixed admission period which would require filing extensions. The goal is to have students finish their student status inside a 4-year period but they...
Fixed Periods for F Students, J Exchange Visitors, and I Visas Continue reading…Attorneys May Provide Assistance at U.S. Embassies Again
On May 13, the Department of State published a final rule that will allow third parties like attorneys of record to attend certain visa appointments. Read more here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/internl-judicial-asst/Retaining-Foreign-Attorney/Foreign-Attorneys.html NOTE: U.S. embassies and consulates overseas maintain lists of local attorneys who have expressed a willingness to serve U.S. citizen clients. But...
Attorneys May Provide Assistance at U.S. Embassies Again Continue reading…Updated TN Visa Guidance
USCIS has clarified their Policy Manual regarding criteria for certain TN occupations as found here: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-p-chapter-6 Meanwhile, the Regulation listing all TN USMCA occupations appears here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-8/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-214/subpart-A/section-214.6