Over the past week, USCIS has issued several updates including the expansion of premium processing services and bundling of H-1B and L-1 Visa spouses requests. 

Happy New Year! As we begin 2023, we would like to share some recent U.S. immigration-related updates.

Although the economic expectations for 2023 seem uncertain, demand for H-1B visas for skilled workers in the next year will likely remain high.

The Real ID Act requires U.S. states to issue driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards that meet enhanced security standards for purposes of travel and admission to federal facilities

Recent massive layoffs and hiring freezes announced by major technology companies, coupled with fears of an imminent recession in the U.S. have significantly impacted workers and raised concerns among many currently employed nonimmigrant workers about maintaining their lawful nonimmigrant status in the U.S. 

For the many planning international travel this holiday season, it’s essential to consider COVID-19 policies worldwide, including U.S. entry policies, consular post availability for purposes of scheduling visa appointments, and local conditions in home countries and other international locations.

Due to continued health and safety precautions related to Covid-19, on October 11, 2022, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), announced its extension of Form I-9 related flexibilities until July 31, 2023. 

This week, the U.S. State Department has announced that the dates for this year’s Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery filings will officially open on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. 

On September 8, 2022, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced its long waited public charge rule.

On August 24, 2022, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published its long-awaited Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Final Rule.

On August 23, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has selected sufficient H-1B Visa Petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 regular cap and 20,000 U.S. advanced degree (master’s cap) for the 2023 Fiscal Year H-1B visa allocations.

Consistent with its goal of removing barriers to legal immigration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued guidance and launched initiatives related to individuals in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instituted temporary accommodations governing the renewal of documents for Form I-9 purposes relating to employment authorization in all work settings.

On July 11, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the extension of its current Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Venezuelans residing in the U.S. as of March 8, 2021.

At the beginning of each fiscal year, U.S. government agencies announce their regulatory agendas, which guide the agencies’ future actions.

In welcome news to international travelers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on June 10, 2022, that effective June 12, 2022, all individuals traveling to the United States will no longer need to show negative COVID-19 test results before boarding their flights.