January 2023 » ImmigrationUSA

India visas

Plans to Process Record Number of Indian Visas in 2023

Plans are underway to increase the number of Indian visas processed in hopes of setting a new annual record. In 2022, a return to pre-pandemic levels was achieved for student visas processed for Indian nationals.

January 31, 2023

EB-2 visa

EB-2 to EB-3 “Downgrades”: How Filing Early Could Speed Up Your Green Card Process

ILBSG recommends securing I-140 approvals under both EB-2 and EB-3 categories as soon as you can to avoid another rush like 2020 and the possibility of an unfavorable federal government administration in the future.

January 31, 2023

USCIS

USCIS Long Term Strategic Plan Announced

USCIS announced their long-term strategic plan for FY2023-2026. Three key goals are identified, including promoting effective and efficient management.

January 30, 2023

H-1B

FY 2024 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 1, 2023

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that on March 1, 2023, the FY2024 H-1B cap initial registration period will open. See how our unique approach resulted in a 99.5% approval rating from our thousands of FY2023 cap filings.

January 30, 2023

Compelling Circumstances EAD

The Compelling Circumstances EAD – One Year Stop Gap

With the recent layoffs in the tech industry, companies and individuals are facing uncertainty in terms of how to retain legal status to remain in the U.S. while job searching. One option, the Compelling Circumstances EAD is a discretionary employment authorization measure that is meant to assist qualifying individuals by preventing the need to abruptly leave the United States.

January 25, 2023

COVID

USCIS Extends Certain COVID-19 Flexibilities

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the continued flexibility for some COVID-19 flexibilities, through March 23, 2023. These flexibilities are extended to allow for delays as the ongoing backlog continues.

January 24, 2023

Asylum

Some Asylum Seekers Can Now File For Employment Authorization Online

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that qualifying individuals can not file the Application for Employment Authorization online. This is one of the organization’s efforts to leverage the power of technology to streamline processes and increase efficiency.

January 24, 2023

Concurrent Processing

USCIS to Reinstate Concurrent Processing for H-1B and L-1 Derivative Applications Including H-4 EADs

Concurrent processing will resume for H-1B and L-1 dependent applications as of January 25, 2023. Regaining concurrent processing is key to address ongoing backlogs.

January 23, 2023

Green Card

USCIS Announces Green Card Automatic Extension Availability

USCIS announced some green card holders are eligible for an automatic extension of the green card for an additional 48 months past the current expiration date.

January 23, 2023

immigration backlog

US Immigration Backlog Cases Hit All-Time High

The backlog of immigration cases in U.S. courts is over 2 million matters, with over 800,000 of those being asylum issues. On average, the wait time for an asylum matter is more than four years for a hearing.

January 23, 2023