The U.S. House passed a bill to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the end of the fiscal year, September 30, 2015. The bill passed with little time to spare before March 6th, when the department’s current funding is set to expire. The DHS was not funded […]
In just under four weeks, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS) will begin accepting new H-1B petitions filed under the Fiscal Year 2016 (October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016) H-1B quota. No more than 85,000 new H-1B visa numbers, which include 20,000 Master’s exempt numbers, are available for the […]
Certain H-4 Spouses Eligible to Apply for Work Authorization Beginning May 26th
24 Feb
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
On Tuesday, February 24th, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension of employment authorization benefits to certain H-4 spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants working in the United States. Beginning May 26th, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (CIS) will begin accepting applications from qualifying H-4 nonimmigrants. To be eligible, […]
CANADA – New Filing Fees and Procedures for LMIA-Exempt Work Permit Applications
19 Feb
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
Effective February 21, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will implement new procedures for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) exempt Work Permit applications, which include Intra-Company Transfer, NAFTA Professional, and Reciprocal Benefit applications. The changes are part of a new initiative to institute additional compliance measures, including inspections of employer sites. […]