The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that Presidential Proclamation 10052, which suspended the entry of certain nonimmigrants, expired on March 31, 2021. Visa issuance may resume for applicants in H-1B, H-2B, J, and L visa categories. The expiration of this Presidential Proclamation marks the end of the bans on visa issuance for both immigrant (green cards) visas and nonimmigrant (temporary) visas.
USCIS is now rolling out its H-1B Pre-Registration program for the 2021 lottery. USCIS will open registration during a 16-day period from Tuesday, March 9th until Thursday, March 25.
It’s official: Luck rules! The 2021 H-1B Visa Selection process will be random. USCIS Citizenship & Immigration Services will use the same innovative Pre-Registration procedure that was launched last year. E&M Mayock’s Pre-Registration Program includes a full consultation, wage analysis, LCA Labor Condition Application filing with the Dept of Labor and Pre-Registration filing with USCIS Citizenship & Immigration Services.
Get ready for H-1B Cap Season 2021 now. All 2021 H-1B Cap cases must complete a Pre-Registration process for inclusion. E&M Mayock’s Pre-Registration Program includes a full consultation, wage analysis, LCA Labor Condition Application filing with the Dept of Labor and Pre-Registration filing with USCIS Citizenship & Immigration Services.
When I think back on the immigration aspects of the year 2020, I am struck by the amount of time our firm had to regroup, revise and rethink normal ordinary immigration practices and procedures. In the year 2020, immigration lawyers scrambled to ascertain what forms were required, what supporting documents were required, where to file applications and what the fees were.
We are hopeful for substantive change for the better in immigration policies and procedures. Like you, I am wondering… now what happens?
On October 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the text of game changing revisions to PERM and H-1B regulations. The DOL has announced that an Interim Final Rule, making sweeping changes to H-1B and PERM wage requirements, will be published October 8, 2020 and will be effective immediately upon publication. On the same day, DHS announced the publication of new regulations tightening requirements for H-1B degree requirements and employer / employee relationships. These new regulations are intended to protect U.S. workers by narrowing the pool of qualifying H-1B petitions to high wage / high skill positions.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to file an application for the Diversity Visa Lottery! Applications for the 2022 Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program will be accepted online starting Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Applications must be submitted by noon EDT on Tuesday, November 10, 2022. There is no filing tee to apply.
On October 1, 2020, a California federal judge issued a ruling overturning the June 24, 2020 Executive Order blocking the issuance of new nonimmigrant employment visas. The judge ruled that President Donald Trump likely overstepped his authority when he issued the Executive Order under coronavirus-related restrictions. This is great news for foreign workers who work for U.S. employers in H-1B, L-1 and J-1 status. It relieves one obstacle to their ability to leave the U.S. and travel overseas.
On April 22, 2020, President Trump signed a proclamation refusing entry to foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. as immigrants after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 23, 2020. The ban lasts for an initial period of 60 days. Given the fact that all U.S. Embassies and Consulates are not currently open to the public for visa interviews, it is difficult to imagine that this proclamation has any real immediate effect. Anyone who could get an immigrant visa has already gotten an immigrant visa. Therefore, this proclamation essentially extends the status quo for at least 60 days.
