Department of Homeland Security

Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) Updates

H-1B Registration Period for FY 2023 CAP-Subject H-1B Petitions Opens on March 1, 2022 FY 2023 H-1B cap season is quickly approaching, with the registration period opening at noon on March 1, 2022 and ending at noon on March 18, 2022. All H-1B registrations must be submitted online during this period to be counted in

Department of Homeland Security

Department of Homeland Security Updates

H-1B Registration The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced that the initial registration period for Fiscal Year 2023 (“FY 2023”) H-1B cap will open on March 1, 2022 at noon EST and run through noon EST on March 18, 2022. USCIS intends to notify registrants by March 31st whether their H-1B registration

COVID-19Department of Homeland Security

Department of Homeland Security Update

Receipt Notice Delays Due to COVID-19 restrictions and filing increases, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is currently experiencing a four to six week delay in issuing receipt notices for applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility. The delay period varies according to the lockbox facility and application/petition filed, with more

COVID-19Immigration

USCIS Updates

Receipt Notice Delays Due to COVID-19 restrictions and filing increases, USCIS is currently experiencing a four to six week delay in issuing receipt notices for applications and petitions filed at a USCIS lockbox facility. The delay period varies according to the lockbox facility and application/petition filed, with more significant delays for individuals filing Form I-485,

Immigration

Department of State and Homeland Security Updates

Department of State Update: In light of the severe backlogs in visa interview scheduling and in an effort to expedite visa issuance to qualified applicants, the U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has extended the Interview Waiver Program for certain nonimmigrants (H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q) and their dependents through December 31, 2022.

COVID-19Holiday Travel

Munsch Hardt’s Immigration Team wishes you a Wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

In light of the on-going pandemic, our usual travel advisory has been updated to include a few safety tips if you plan to travel internationally for the holidays: Travel Bans: Travelers from a number of countries in Africa (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe) where the Omicron COVID-19 variant has been

COVID-19Department of Homeland Security

New Travel Restrictions + DHS Update

International Travel Update: On November 26th, 2021, the White House issued a proclamation suspending and limiting entry into the United States for certain individuals traveling from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe which are the countries where the COVID-19 Omicron variant has been detected in substantive numbers thus far. Restrictions began

Hot off the Press

Lift on Travel Bans + USCIS Update

Effective November 8th, Travel Bans are Lifted and COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements Take Effect President Biden has issued a proclamation rescinding the country-by-country travel restrictions previously applied during the COVID-19 pandemic which banned foreign nationals from entering the U.S. if they had been present in any of the following countries within 14 days: China, Iran, the

COVID-19

Vaccine Requirement, Non-Essential Travel + Visa Application Procedure Updates

The Department of State Releases Changes to Vaccine Requirements for Immigrant, Nonimmigrant, and K Fiancé(e) Visa Applicants Effective October 1, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) instructions for panel physicians requires all immigrant visa, K visa applicants, and nonimmigrant visa applicants who are referred to the panel physicians to receive a full

Department of Homeland Security

Vaccination Requirements for Foreign Travel and Immigration Medical Exams

U.S. to Rescind Travel Bans for China, Iran, the Schengen Area, U.K., Ireland, Brazil, South Africa and India The U.S. plans to lift air travel restrictions for foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated, targeting early November 2021 for foreign travel to resume for the first time in over a year. Since early in the COVID-pandemic,