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.
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…Get to Know the New Secretary of Labor
The newly appointed Secretary of Labor is Ms. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, making her ultimately responsible for running PERMs and DOL Audits. Read more on her mission here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/osec
Qatar Joins U.S. Visa Waiver
The U.S. now permits citizens of Qatar to use ESTA for short term tourist and short term business visits to the United States, bypassing the visa interview at a U.S. consulate. See list of countries permitted to bypass visas and consular checks here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html