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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. ...
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
On 4/18/22, DHS announced that the TPS registration process for both countries begins on April 19, 2022 . All individuals who want to request TPS under the designation of Ukraine or Sudan must file an application. Eligibility: Ukraine : must demonstrate continuous residence in the U.S. since April 11, 2022 , and continuous physical presence in the U.S. since the designation date in the Federal ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
When you enter the United States, you are inspected by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent. After approving your admission to the United States, the border inspector does two things: Stamps your passport with an admission date, expiration date, and the class of admission (such as B-2 for tourist, WT for ESTA, or H-1B for H-1B worker). Enters your admission record into CBP’s database. ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
The COVID pandemic has made international travel unpredictable. The conditions in every country are different and change quickly, making getting a visa appointment more complicated. Consulates must balance expanding routine visa services with limited resources, other responsibilities, and country conditions. As a result, timely visa appointments are not always available and the rules for ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
On 4/15/2022, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Cameroon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. Only individuals who are already residing in the United States as of April 14, 2022 , will be eligible for TPS. Individuals who attempt to travel to the United States after April 14, 2022, will not be eligible for TPS. Information on filing is yet to be ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
It’s H-1B season, so this means that if you applied for an H-1B visa, you will be getting an approval or denial response from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) soon. If your H-1B visa is approved – your immigration efforts don’t stop there. Our Dallas immigration attorneys explain what are some of the next steps you should take after your H-1B visa gets approved. After H-1B ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
Seeking career opportunities in another country can be daunting, especially if you have to leave your loved ones behind. If you seek employment in the United States as a foreign national, you might wonder if you can bring your family along with you. Our Dallas immigration attorneys explain if you can obtain a visa for your spouse or children if you received an employment visa in the United States. ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
USCIS has announced the initial H-1B registration selection process for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 is completed. All prospective petitioners with selected registrations have been notified. Registrants’ online accounts will now show one of the following statuses for each beneficiary registered : Submitted: The registration has been submitted and is eligible for selection till the end of the fiscal ...
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