Recent data does not foreclose NIW or EB-1A petitions; it reinforces the importance of selecting the appropriate category, presenting a clear and credible record of achievement, and documenting the U.S. benefit with specificity.
Continue Reading What Recent USCIS Data Means for EB-2 NIW, EB-1A Petitioners
The U.S. Department of State has unexpectedly updated various Consular websites with revised eligibility requirements for the Visa Interview Waiver (also known as dropbox or mail-in) program, reverting to narrower pre-COVID-era eligibility criteria. The interview waiver program simplifies the procedure to apply for a U.S. visa stamp by eliminating the requirement for eligible individuals to
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued new policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the evidentiary requirements for physicians seeking a national interest waiver of the job offer requirement, based on work in underserved areas or at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
With this guidance, for physicians who have worked or
Israel is making strides towards joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for 90 days without needing to apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy. The VWP is designed to promote travel and trade between the
On March 31, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) permanently removed the requirement that U.S. civil surgeons sign Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before submission of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. USCIS first waived this requirement on a temporary
On Dec. 23, 2022, the U.S. Department of State announced an extension of interview waivers for certain nonimmigrant visas, and their qualifying derivatives, through Dec. 31, 2023.
Consular officers are authorized to waive interviews for the following visa categories: H-2, F, M, J, H-1B, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visas. Temporary workers who
On May 24, USCIS provided additional information related to implementation of its expanded premium processing program. First announced March 29, 2022, USCIS stated its intention to expand premium processing to certain Form I-140 employment-based immigrant visa petitions, Form I-539 applications to extend/change nonimmigrant status, and Form I-765 applications for employment authorization. As promised, USCIS has
On Jan. 21, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address national interest waivers for advanced degree professionals or persons of exceptional ability. This update clarifies how the national interest waiver can be used by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates and entrepreneurs.
The
On Dec. 9, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will temporarily waive the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record within 60 days of filing an application for the underlying immigration benefit. This temporary waiver is effective immediately and will continue until Sept.