-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
New Procedure for Obtaining ADIT Stamp USCIS recently announced a new procedure to obtain an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp, which constitute temporary evidence of permanent residence, typically issued while Form I-90, I-751, or N-400 applications are pending. Under the new procedure, USCIS will mail temporary evidence of permanent residence to those who ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
USCIS recently issued a guidance on the permanent removal requirement that the civil surgeon’s signature on the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693) be dated no more than 60 days before an applicant file for the underlying immigration benefit. USCIS is now removing this requirement permanently. In general, noncitizens applying for certain immigration ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
If you seek seasonal employment in the United States, you might be interested in obtaining an H-2B visa . This visa allows you to work in the U.S. for up to nine months and is a great opportunity to earn money while experiencing American culture. However, applying for an H-2B visa can be complex, and you must meet some requirements to be eligible. This blog post will discuss the five top ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
In today's fast-paced world, it is common for businesses to hire foreign workers. Whether you're trying to find a skilled worker or fill a temporary position, the H-2B visa program can make this possible. H-2B visas are temporary, non-immigrant visas that allow businesses to bring foreign workers to the United States. In this blog, we will discuss what the H-2B visa program is, who is eligible for ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
USCIS has announced the expansion of premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 students seeking science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extensions who have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization , and wish to request a premium processing upgrade. Online filing of Form I-907, Request for Premium ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
For many foreign nationals, the prospect of living and working in the United States is a dream come true. If you’re looking into obtaining an H-1B visa but are considering working multiple jobs, there are certain restrictions you must know. Knowing these rules can help determine if having multiple jobs is a viable option. Can I Work Multiple Jobs on an H-1B Visa? The H-1B visa is designed to allow ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
The Department of State (“DOS”) plans to launch a pilot program later this year that will offer visa renewals of H-1B specialty occupation workers and other temporary visa holders who are currently required to travel abroad. Specifically, the initial option will be available to H and L visa holders and there are plans to eventually expand the visa categories. Juliet Stufft, the deputy assistant ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
Many H-1B visa holders have found themselves out of a job with the massive tech company layoffs. But what happens when an H-1B visa holder loses their job? The answer lies in understanding the implications and legalities of the H-1B visa. H-1B Visas & Layoffs The H-1B visa is a temporary, nonimmigrant work visa that allows foreign citizens to live and work in the United States for up to six years. ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
USCIS is extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence , or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for 48 months beyond the card’s expiration date . This change started on January 11, 2023, for Form I-829 and will start on January 25, ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
Major settlement requires USCIS to adjudicate H-4, H-4 EAD, and L-2 together with Form I-129. This historic settlement with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Edakunni v. Mayorkas, provides structural changes for nonimmigrant H-4 and L-2 spouses suffering from long-delayed processing times which often lead to delayed employment authorization. These delays started due to the institution ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing the final phase of the premium processing expansion for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers , under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. Unlike previous phases of the expansion, this phase applies to new (initial) petitions, in addition to all previously filed Form I-140 petitions under an E13 multinational executive and ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
On 1/12/2023, DHS announced an extension and redesignation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months ( from March 18, 2023, through Sept. 17, 2024 ). Eligibility Individuals who were already residing in the United States as of Jan. 11, 2023 , will be eligible for TPS under Somalia’s redesignation if they also meet all other eligibility requirements. Somalis entering the United ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations temporarily. Employers often use the H-1B visa program to hire foreign workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. If you’re interested in obtaining an H-1B visa, you may have countless questions. Get answers to the most common questions below. What Is ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
Redesignation Allows Additional Eligible Yemeni Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents. On 12/30/22, DHS announced an extension and redesignation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months (from March 4, 2023, through Sept. 3, 2024) due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent Yemeni nationals from safely ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
The holidays are a time for family and togetherness, but for many families, this is often impossible due to immigration restrictions. Immigration can separate families for years at a time, making it difficult to celebrate the holidays together. Our team at Akula & Associates P.C. has put together tips to help you stay connected with your family living abroad. Tips to Stay Connected with Families ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
It can be complicated when two people from different nationalities decide to get married. One of the most common issues that arise is the question of visas. How will the couple be able to stay together in one country? Citizens can apply for a K-1 marriage visa to marry a foreign national in the United States. A K-1 visa allows a foreign national to come to the United States and marry their fiancé ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
If you are a healthcare worker or a childcare worker who has a valid immigration status and has an initial Application for Employment Authorization ( Form I-765 ), that has been pending for over 90 days, you can request expedited processing. USCIS had previously announced this flexibility for qualifying healthcare and childcare workers with a pending employment authorization document (EAD) renewal ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
What is Diversity Visa Lottery/Diversity Visa Program? The Diversity Immigrant Visa program (also known as the green card lottery) is a government lottery program provides individuals from counties with relatively lower levels of recent immigration to the U.S. and with specific education qualifications a chance to apply for an immigration visa and a green card. In general, the program makes 50,000 ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
H-4 & L-2 visas are common forms of work authorization in the United States. Under the H-4 visa, family members of H-1B visa holders can enter the United States for the same period of time as the worker. An L-2 visa is a treaty investor visa for individuals who are citizens of a country with a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. Countries include Australia, Germany, United ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
USCIS announced that they have received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2023. USCIS states that they have completed sending non-selection notifications to registrants’ online accounts. The status for registrations ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is implementing the second phase of the premium processing expansion for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers , under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. Similar to the first phase of the expansion, this phase only applies to certain previously filed Form I-140 petitions under an E13 multinational ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
USCIS urges anyone within the United States who may be eligible for an employment-based adjustment of status to note these important reminders regarding Form I-693 , Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record: If you have a pending Form I-485 , Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, please do not send an unsolicited Form I-693 to USCIS. We are proactively ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
Immigration laws and legal terms are often confusing and difficult to understand. With so many different terms, it's unlikely for immigrants to have a clear understanding of what every document and term means. For example, many people confuse visas with immigration status. Our team at Akula & Associates P.C. goes over their differences. What Is a Visa vs. Status A visa is a document issued by the ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that there are an “exceptionally high number of employment-based visas available.” If you are currently seeking employment opportunities in the United States as a foreign national, now is the time to seek an employment visa. Our Dallas immigration attorneys explain why there is a high number of employment visas available and ...
Continue Reading
-
Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
USCIS temporary final rule providing that the automatic extension period applicable to expiring EADs for certain renewal applicants who have filed Form I-765 will be increased from up to 180 days to up to 540 days from the expiration date stated on their EADs. This increase will be available to eligible renewal applicants with pending Forms I-765 as of 5/4/22, including those applicants whose ...
Continue Reading
