What is the Diversity Visa Lottery?The Diversity Immigrant Visa program—a.k.a. the green card lottery—is a government lottery program for obtaining U.S. Permanent Residence (green card). The program makes 50,000 visas available every year to applicants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States and with specific education qualifications. It provides an inexpensive …
On September 15, the Department of State released the October visa bulletin, which was the first bulletin for fiscal year 2024. Although there was some expected movement forward in most categories, it was not as much as anticipated, leaving many waiting applicants quite frustrated at the long delays. The DOS did note that they would …
This week, a federal judge in Texas ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is unlawful. This decision could ultimately lead to the termination the DACA program, will leaving thousands of undocumented youth in legal limbo without the ability to apply for work authorization, drivers licenses, and other protections that the DACA …
DACA Declared Unlawful: Will not affect renewals Read More »
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has launched a new online form for individuals, attorneys,and accredited representatives to request an in-person appointment at their local field office withouthaving to call the USCIS Contact Center. This online appointment request form allows individuals or legal representatives to request an in-person appointment at a field office only, for ADIT …
USCIS Completes Second Round H1B Lottery Selection USCIS announced on July 31st that it has selected enough registrations to meet the fiscal year 2024 (FY24) H1B cap, beginning on October 1, 2023. As with the first lottery, those with selected registrations will have their myUSCIS accounts updated to include a selection notice. The online accounts will …
USCIS Expands myProgress to Form I-765 and Form I-131 On July 12, USCIS announced that it was expanding myProgress (formerly known as personalized processing times) to Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. myProgress provides applicants with access, in their online account, to personalized estimates of their wait time for major …
Pandemic Asylum Restrictions Lifted At Border Associated Press— The AP reported that the border between the U.S. and Mexico was relatively calm in May, offering few signs of the chaos that was feared following a rush by worried migrants to enter the U.S. before the end of pandemic-related immigration restrictions. Less than 24 hours after the …
USCIS Removes 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693 USCIS is removing the requirement that civil surgeons sign Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for an underlying immigration benefit, including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. …
USCIS Expands Premium Processing for OPT/STEM On March 6, USCIS announced the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and wish to request a premium processing upgrade. Online filing, as well as paper …
State Department Plans Pilot Program for Visa Renewal in US Bloomberg News reported on February 9, 2023, that the U.S. State Department will launch a pilot program later this year offering visa renewal options in the US for H-1B specialty occupation workers and other temporary visa holders who are currently required to travel abroad. Reestablishing …
