DOL Agrees to Review PERM Regulations
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Update on USCIS Processing Times
We would like to update our clients on current processing times for the various USCIS processing centers.
H-1B: 2 months
L: 1 month
TN:...
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Interview with Consular Chief, Ian Hopper, U.S. Embassy Amman Jordan
MEETING WITH CONSULAR SECTION By Heidi Son, Esq.
US Embassy, Amman Jordan
November 2014
Having just recently moved to Amman Jordan less than three months ago, I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing the Consular Chief of th...
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Latest Information Regarding Work Authorization for H-4 Visa Holders
Dependents of H-1B visa holders (individuals working in a specialty occupation) are currently eligible for H-4 status, but unable to obtain work authorization from USCIS. However, USCIS is currently completing work to finalize a new regulation that would allow H-4 visa holders to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), ...
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Department of Labor to Pursue Modernized Recruitment and Application Requirements for the PERM Program
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the PERM regulations, which govern the labor certification process for the permanent employment of immigrant foreign workers and establish responsibilities of employers who wish to employ these workers permanently in the United States. The Department has not comprehensively examined and modifie...
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FILING I-130 PETITIONS AT USCIS OVERSEAS OFFICES
In limited circumstances, I-130 petitions may be filed directly with a US embassy, which will forward the request to a USCIS overseas office for adjudication. The I-130 is the first part of a family based immigrant visa petition. In 99% of all cases, the I-130 is filed in the United States even if the beneficiary plans to in...
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Issues with the Biometric Scheduling System
Persons living on the east coast filing Adjustment of Status applications for permanent residence, Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), Advance Parole Documents, Permanent Residence Card renewals or replacements and re-entry permits (I-131), all need to first obtain biometric appointments (basically getting fingerprinting at a...
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BIOMETRICS OUTSIDE OF THE US
Anyone who has filed for a re-entry permit or I-90 (green card renewal) knows that they need to be fingerprinted in the US. This has caused much disruption for those living abroad. We have always wondered why the USCIS could not process these biometrics abroad.
Recently, the USCIS said,
" USCIS generally collects biometrics overseas...
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H-1B Cap Reminder
There are only eight (8) weeks before the start of the FY 2016 H-1B Cap filing season and to ensure timely filing, it is recommended that employers start submitting LCAs and gathering the necessary documents. Last year, the United States Citizen and Immigration Services received a record number of 172,500 cap petitions and it is like...
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March 2015 Visa Bulletin Released with Few Changes
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently released its March 2015 Visa Bulletin. The Visa Bulletin regulates adjustment of status (AOS) and consular immigrant visa applications by setting priority date cutoffs. Foreign nationals can file their AOS applications or obtain immigrant visas at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad if their...
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