Seyfarth Synopsis: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced a Temporary Final Rule extending the automatic extension period for certain Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applicants from 180 days to 540 days.

In alignment with ongoing efforts aimed at streamlining operations and enhancing processing efficiency, the U.S. Citizenship

Continue Reading Streamlining Services: USCIS Auto-Extensions for Work Permits – A Step Towards Efficiency and Relief

Seyfarth Synopsis: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a final rule on the upcoming H-1B cap registration, creating a beneficiary-centric selection process, starting this FY 2025 H-1B cap registration period, which will run from March 6, 2024 to March 22, 2024.

1. FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registration Period

Continue Reading USCIS Announces FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registration Details and Updates

By: Steven Brouilliard

The White House recently announced that beginning May 12, 2023, the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for entry to the United States will no longer apply to nonimmigrant international air travelers.  In addition, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it would end the COVID-19 vaccination requirements as of

Continue Reading Lifting of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Nonimmigrants to Enter the U.S.

By: Dawn Lurie, Matthew Parker* and Amber Stokes*

On May 4, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced the official sunset date for COVID-19 related Form I-9 physical inspection flexibilities: July 31, 2023. Additionally, ICE advised that employers would have 30 days, or until August 30, 2023, to complete an in-person verification of all employees that were virtually verified since March 2020. Yesterday’s announcement put an end to the speculation of whether the remote policy would run past July, and whether employers would only have three days after the termination of the flexibilities in which to update I-9s. No and No.Continue Reading Ready or Not: Form I-9 Flexibilities are Winding Down

By: Gabriele Vennewald and Rania Abboud

Please note: while we address some country-specific updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this Alert contains information regarding global restrictions and closures as they stand today. Given the constantly changing nature of this situation, we highly recommend reviewing any global mobility inquiries on a

Continue Reading March 2023 Global Immigration Alert

By: Mia Batista, Steven R. Brouillard, and Victoria Ma

Seyfarth Synopsis: H-1B Registration is approaching! Employers should identify any current employees and employment candidates who may require H-1B visa sponsorship.

This Legal Update is intended to assist employers with understanding the general process of the H-1B electronic registration

Continue Reading Getting Ready for the FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registration

By: Steven Brouillard and Jake Campbell

Seyfarth Synopsis: Starting January 25, 2023, USCIS will adjudicate I-539 and I-765 applications for H-4 and L-2 dependents when those applications are filed concurrently with the I-129 petition.  The bundling of those applications applies to both regular and premium processed H-1B or L-1 petitions.

Continue Reading USCIS Agrees to Bundle Adjudication for H-4/H-4 EADs and L-2 Dependent Applications When Filed Concurrently with Form I-129

By Steven R. Brouillard and Victoria Ma

Seyfarth Synopsis: On January 12, 2023, USCIS announced the final phase of premium processing expansion for EB-1 Multinational Executive and Manager and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Form I-140 Petitions, as well as steps to expand premium processing for certain I-765 and I-539

Continue Reading USCIS Implements Final Phase of Premium Processing For Multinational Executive/Manager and National Interest Waiver Immigrant Visa Petitions

By: Dawn Lurie and Matthew Parker*

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 3, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an increase to the automatic extension period for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from 180 days to 540 days. This Temporary Final Rule (TFR) was published on May 4, 2022, will
Continue Reading 540 is the new 180: Employment Authorization Document Extensions