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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
Update on Form I-134A

Due to the Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants

Effective Jan. 22, 2025, USCIS is waiving any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
H-1B Final Rule, H-2 Final Rule, and Revised Form I-129 Effective Jan. 17, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security’s H-1B final rule and H-2 final rule take effect on Friday, January 17, 2025, modernizing and improving requirements for the H-1B nonimmigrant and H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Updates Guidance on EB-2 National Interest Waiver Petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating its policy guidance to clarify how we evaluate eligibility for the second preference employment-based (EB-2) classification for immigrant petitions filed with a request for a national interest waiver (NIW).

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Updates Filing Procedures for Form I-140

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a Federal Register notice (FRN) providing updated procedures for submitting a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, accompanied by a permanent labor certification, application for Schedule A designation, or national interest waiver (NIW) request.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for the First Half of FY 2025

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025 with start dates on or before March 31, 2025, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (FY 2025 TFR).

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Offices Closed Jan. 9, 2025

President Biden has declared Thursday, Jan. 9, a National Day of Mourning to remember the life and legacy of James Earl Carter Jr., the 39th president of the United States, and has issued an Executive Order Providing for the Closing of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on January 9, 2025.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS to Publish Revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker

On Jan. 17, 2025, we will publish a revised edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (edition date: 01/17/25). The form has been revised to align with the recently announced H-1B modernization final rule and the H-2 modernization final rule. 

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Updates Guidance on Flexibilities Available During and After Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating our Policy Manual to clarify flexibilities that may be available to benefit requestors during and after an emergency or unforeseen circumstance.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Updates Guidance on Case Assistance and Feedback

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it is updating Volume 1, Part A, of the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect the available avenues for case assistance or feedback.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
DHS Publishes Final Rule for the Application of Certain Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings

As part of our continued efforts to deliver more timely consequences for noncitizens encountered who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United Statesβ€”efforts that have resulted in a 60% decrease in unlawful entries since June 4β€”the Department of Homeland Security has finalized the rule for the Application of Certain Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings, following publication of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in May 2024.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
DHS Strengthens H-1B Program, Allowing U.S. Employers to More Quickly Fill Critical Jobs

Rule will provide greater benefits and flexibilities for U.S. employers and specialty occupation workers, helping to meet U.S. labor needs

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Issues Updated Guidance on Evidence for Applicants Under the International Entrepreneur Rule

We are issuing updated policy guidance on the types of evidence that may support an application under the International Entrepreneur Rule.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Revised Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

On Dec. 10, 2024, we published a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status, which includes updates to questions and instructions. Starting Feb. 10, 2025, we will accept only the 10/24/24 edition of Form I-485 and will reject any older editions of Form I-485.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2025 H-1B Cap

USCIS has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2025.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Now Requires Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record to be Submitted with Form I-485 for Certain Applicants

We now require certain applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to submit Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, with their Form I-485 or the Form I-485 may otherwise be rejected.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
DHS, DOL Make Nearly 65,000 Additional H-2B Visas Available for Fiscal Year 2025

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a temporary final rule (TFR) making available an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2025.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
DHS Publishes Federal Register Notice Designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status

The Department of Homeland Security today posted a Federal Register notice designating Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
DHS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (State), has announced the lists of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs for the next 12 months.

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OCI News Bot Β· 1 day ago
USCIS Updates Guidance on Lawful Admission for Permanent Residence Requirement for Naturalization

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that a naturalization applicant’s burden to demonstrate they have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence applies only to their initial admission as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or adjustment to LPR status.

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