At a Glance Yes, a green card renewal request can be denied. The top reasons for denial include committing a crime, providing incorrect information or lying on the renewal application, being ordered removed from the U.S., and using the wrong form. Other potential causes for denial include applying t…
At a Glance AC21, enacted in 2000, allows H1B visa holders to change jobs and extend status. It enables highly skilled foreign workers to change employers under specific conditions. Eligibility criteria include timely initiation and an approved I-140 petition. Form I-485, Supplement J, is used to in…
There have been many changes, suspensions, and extensions at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The USCIS has had to close its physical offices to implement social distancing, and, as a result, the USCIS now has quite a hefty backlog in its p…
On the 18th of March, USCIS closed all of its offices from person-to-person contact in an attempt to reduce the spread of the new coronavirus. This suspension of these services involved the complete canceling of applicant interviews that were scheduled previously. That being said, unofficially, ther…
Part of standard employment procedures is completing a physical Form I-9 review with your new employee. Since life is operating remotely for the foreseeable future, completing an in-person inspection of I-9 documents is pretty much impossible for most employers. What can you do if you have a new emp…
Navigating the aftermath of an H-1B transfer denial requires a clear understanding of the reasons behind such decisions and the subsequent steps to uphold your legal status in the United States. When confronted with a denial, comprehending the legal basis and common reasons for rejection is essentia…
USCIS received about 275k registrations for the 2024 season of H1B visas. All of these requests were processed using their new online tool for H1B registrations. In most cases, the system will have to go through a number of tests, and only be launched when it is pretty much perfect – but now and aga…
At a Glance H1B extension allows extension beyond the initial 3 years, up to a total of 6 years. Reasons for extension denial include employer not meeting requirements, lack of specialized knowledge, insufficient proof of employer/employee relationship, unpaid or insufficient fees, inability to pay …
The current coronavirus pandemic has affected almost all activities and processes around the world. Nothing seems to be immune to it. In the United States, many states have restricted travel and immigration. The USCIS has limited its operations, and most processing work is on hold. The latest additi…
At a Glance H4 visa holders can extend their EAD by applying for a replacement and following specific steps. They can also benefit from automatic EAD extensions and are eligible for federal unemployment benefits. COVID-19 insurance options are available. Staying informed is crucial for managing the …