U.S. Immigration News and Policy Updates

(USCIS) is permitting certain categories of applicants for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to file applications online.

USCIS has announced  that it will transfer some FY 2023 H-1B cap-subject petitions to the California Service Center from the Vermont Service Center for processing.

As of Sunday, June 12, 2022, the U.S. no longer requires vaccinated foreign travelers entering the country by air to have a pre-departure COVID-19 test and negative result before boarding.

On Aug. 1, 2022, USCIS will implement a second phase of premium processing for certain EB-1 and EB-2 petitioners with a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Work.

The Vermont Service Center (VSC) is experiencing delays in issuing receipt notices for H-1B petitions filed at this USCIS regional center.

On May 4, 2022, USCIS will increase the automatic extension period for eligible Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from 180 days to 540 days.

On April 25, 2022, President Biden launched a new humanitarian parole program for Ukrainians who are fleeing their country due to the ongoing armed conflict.

USCIS announced that it received 483,927 fiscal year (FY) 2023 H-1B registrations in March 2022, which is a new record.

USCIS announced that individuals who were previously granted legal status through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program can file renewal requests electronically.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a plan to improve efficiency and reduce immigration system burdens in the agency that have led to severe application processing backlogs.

The State Department is extending a temporary measure that allows U.S. citizens to enter the United States even if they have an expired U.S. passport.

On May 1, 2022, DHS will end a temporary policy that allows employers to accept expired List B identity documents during the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification process.

The U.S. State Department provided more details on immigrant and nonimmigrant visas processes for Ukrainian nationals impacted by the crisis in Ukraine.

DHS has announced that Ukraine has been designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on account of the Russian military invasion.

USCIS reached the FY 2022 H-1B cap, as announced on Feb. 28, 2022. USCIS conducted three lotteries in FY 2022, but it will not conduct a fourth lottery.

The State Department has released the  September 2022 Visa Bulletin. USCIS will use the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based categories.

Previous government shutdowns can help provide insights on how stakeholders may prepare for shutdown-related delays to immigration processing if there is a shutdown in February or beyond.

As the FY 2023 H-1B cap season quickly approaches, here are four things to know.

USCIS announced that the registration period for the FY 2023 H-1B cap season will begin at 12:00 PM EST on March 1, 2022, and end at 12:00 PM EST on March 18, 2022.

USCIS issued new policy guidance in July 2022 for certain O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement visas.