Department of Homeland Security Second H-1B Cap Lottery Completed by USCIS for FY 2025 On August 5, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced the completion of its second random selection from previously submitted H-1B cap lottery registrations for fiscal year (“FY”) 2025. Newly selected registrants have been notified via their myUSCIS accounts, which
Department of Homeland Security Automatic Extension Period for Employment Authorization Documents Once Again Increased U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has once again increased the automatic extension period for certain timely-filed Employment Authorization Documents (“EADs”) from 180 days to 540 days after reducing the extension period from 540 days to 180 days in late October
Department of Homeland Security Fine and Punishment: I-9 Compliance Penalties Again on the Rise The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has once again increased fines for Form I-9 violations, marking the second time in as little as two years that the penalties have been raised. This recent trend in fine increases as well as
Department of Homeland Security H-1B Cap Lottery Timelines Released by USCIS U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has recently announced important dates for the upcoming H-1B visa lottery. The lottery registration period for fiscal year (“FY”) 2025 will run from 11:00 am CST on March 6, 2024, through 11:00 am CST on March 22, 2024,
Department of Homeland Security ATTENTION: H-1B Cap Season Start for FY 2025 With the new H-1B Cap season quickly approaching, it is time to start evaluating your H-1B needs and preparing for the annual H-1B lottery. Each year, the demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the available supply and since 2020, the government has been
Department of Homeland Security New Form I-9 Mandatory as of November 1, 2023 As of November 1, 2023, the newly revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification (08/01/2023 edition date), must be used to verify the identity and employment authorization of all individuals hired in the United States. The new Form I-9 now includes alternative procedures
Department of Homeland Security USCIS Provides Updated Guidance on Status-Authorized Employment and Extended EAD Validity U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has updated its policy manual to reflect the government agency’s decision to increase the validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (“EADs”) up to five (5) years for certain nonimmigrant categories. This change comes as
Department of Homeland Security USCIS’s Automatic Extension Policy Set to Expire after October 26, 2023 During the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) rolled out a series of flexibilities to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors due to delays in government processing times and in response to remote work mandates. In particular, USCIS’s
Department of Homeland Security Hot Off The Press – New Form I-9 Compliance and Remote Verification Updates Beginning August 1, 2023, E-Verify participating employers in good standing may use an optional, alternative procedure to examine Form I-9 documents. The alternative procedure allows a qualified employer (or authorized representative acting on an employer’s behalf) to remotely
Department of Homeland Security Premium Processing Expansion for Applicants Seeking Status Change U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is now accepting premium processing requests for Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status applicants who are seeking to change into F (academic students), M (vocational student), or J (exchange visitors) status. Dependent children and/or spouses of