United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Releases Long-Awaited Memorandum Detailin
The USCIS memorandum acknowledges that the L-1B classification was created to allow companies to leverage their workforces by transferring employees with specialized knowledge to the United States, thereby promoting the United States as a global business destination. The memorandum seeks to further clarify how the definitions of "specialized knowledge" and "advanced knowledge" should be applied by USCIS during the adjudication process. The memorandum emphasizes that employe
Denial Rate for L-1B Specialized Knowledge Workers Increases to 35 Percent
In response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by the National Foundation for American Policy, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provided data indicating that the denial rate for L-1B specialized knowledge petitions rose to 35 percent in fiscal year 2014. Since fiscal year 2007, there has been a sizable increase in L-1B denial rates. The 35 percent denial rate is a historic high and a sharp contrast to fiscal year 2007, when the de
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Offers Guidance for FY2016 H-1B Cap Petit
USCIS will begin accepting H-1B petition subject to annual numerical quota beginning April 1, 2015. If USCIS receives more than the annual allotment - which is 65,000 for individuals holding a bachelor's degree, or the equivalent, and 20,000 for individuals possessing an advanced degree from a qualifying United States university or college - within the first five business days of April, then a lottery system will be utilized to randomly select the cases that will receive a c
United States Department of State Releases April 2015 Visa Bulletin
The April 2015 Visa Bulletin indicates that EB-2 China priority dates will advance by seven months to April 1, 2011 and EB-2 India priority date will advance by eight months to September 1, 2007. EB-3 China priority dates will retrogress by more than ten months from October 22, 2011 to January 1, 2011. EB-3 India priority dates will only see an advancement of one week to January 8, 2004. Priority dates for EB-3 Mexico and the Philippines will both advance from June 1, 2014
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Provides a Guide for Understanding the Fo
USCIS has published an information brochure titled "Understanding Key Concepts Found in Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, A Guide for Adult Citizenship Teachers." This guide is helpful in understanding the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, as well as the naturalization process. Still, individuals contemplating naturalization may wish to secure legal counsel, particularly where complex legal factors or circumstances may apply to their case. This USCIS inf
Travel Guidance for F-1 Students
Before undertaking international travel outside of the United States, individuals holding F-1 student status should be mindful of any potential risks. This is particularly important where an individual in F-1 student status is seeking to change his/her status to that of an H-1B specialty worker. While the general guidance below may be helpful to F-1 students, individuals should contact us directly with any questions specific to the facts of their case before making travel p
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Issues Supplemental Guide for E-Verify Em
USCIS has issued a new guide, the Supplemental Guide for E-Verify Employers Agents, to replace both the E-Verify Quick Reference Guide for E-Verify Employer Agents and the E-Verify User Manual for E-Verify Employer Agents. The Supplemental Guide for E-Verify Employers Agents is accessible here. #EVerify #EVerifyGuidance #EVerifyEmployers