USCIS Filing Fees Increase on December 23, 2016
Effective December 23, 2016, USCIS will increase many of its filing fees. Any applications received on or after this date will be subject to the new fees: G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request — $65 ($20) G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Microfilm) — $65 ($20) G-1041A Genealogy Records Request (Copy from Textual Record) — $65 […]
Read more →| Posted in Adjustment of Status, Advance Parole, Citizenship, DACA, E-2, EAD, Employment Authorization, Entrepreneurs, Fiance Visa, Green Card, H-1B, Investors, L-1, LGBT, Models, Naturalization, Nurses, O-1, OPT, Physical Therapists, R-1, Silicon Beach, Students, TPS, U.S. Immigration, USCIS, Waivers, Work Visa |
Increased Fines for Violations of Immigration Law as of August 2016
Penalties for violations of immigration law increased on August 1, 2016 after the Department of Justice issued an interim final rule as an inflation adjustment. The rule increased fines for Form I-9 paperwork violations, for engaging in unfair immigration-related employment practices such as discrimination, document abuse and document fraud, and for knowingly hiring or continuing […]
Read more →| Posted in EAD, Employment Authorization, Entrepreneurs, Green Card, H-1B, L-1, O-1, OPT, Silicon Beach, U.S. Immigration, USCIS, Work Visa |
Options for Brazilians to Immigrate to the United States
As we head into summer, Brazil should be giddy with anticipation about the Rio Olympics. However, the spiraling economy, violence, and Zika outbreak has instead caused many around the world to think twice about traveling to Brazil. It has also caused many Brazilians to consider their options on moving to another country, including the United […]
Read more →| Posted in Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Entrepreneurs, Fiance Visa, Green Card, Investors, L-1, O-1, R-1, Students, U.S. Immigration, Visitor Visa, Work Visa |
USCIS Set to Increase Filing Fees
On May 4, 2016, USCIS issued a 60-day notice proposing an increase in filing fees for various applications. There has not been a fee increase since 2010. The schedule of proposed fees are as follows: Form I-129 (H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2, P-1, TN, R-1): Current fee = $325 Proposed fee = $460 Form I-130 petitions for alien relatives: […]
Read more →| Posted in Adjustment of Status, Advance Parole, E-2, EAD, Employment Authorization, Entrepreneurs, Fiance Visa, Green Card, H-1B, Investors, L-1, LGBT, Models, O-1, OPT, Physical Therapists, R-1, Silicon Beach, Students, U.S. Immigration, USCIS, Work Visa |
U.S. v. Texas: Supreme Court Case Could Affect Millions of Immigrants
In April, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Texas, a case examining President Barack Obama’s programs deferring the deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants. In November 2014 Obama announced the creation of the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) program and the expansion of the […]
Read more →| Posted in Advance Parole, DACA, EAD, Employment Authorization, Executive Action, U.S. Immigration, Work Visa |
New STEM OPT Rules Starting May 2016
Beginning on May 10, 2016, F-1 students graduating with a U.S. bachelor’s or master’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) subject are eligible for 24-month OPT (Optional Practical Training). This is an increase from the duration, which provides for a 12-month initial OPT plus a 17-month extension. Applications submitted and approved prior to […]
Read more →| Posted in Employment Authorization, H-1B, OPT, Students, U.S. Immigration, Work Visa |