Major Immigration Updates

July 2020

FY H-1B Cap Petitions May Be Filed as of April 1
April 1, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that H-1B cap-subject petitions for fiscal year (FY) 2021, including those petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption, may now be filed with USCIS […]

March 2020

Initial H-1B Electronic Registration Period Closes March 20 for Cap-Subject Employers
March 27, 2020

The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B cap-subject numerical allocations will close at noon Eastern on March 20, 2020. Registrations must be properly submitted by employers before […]

Initial H-1B Electronic Registration Period Closes March 20 for Cap-Subject Employers
March 27, 2020

The initial registration period for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B cap-subject numerical allocations will close at noon Eastern on March 20, 2020. Registrations must be properly submitted by employers before […]

USDHS/ICE Guidance: In Response to COVID-19, F status 5-month Temporary Absence Rule Will Not Apply
March 24, 2020

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE), which oversees the F visa regulations, posted on March 23, 2020 an updated “Frequently Asked Questions” to its website.  In this new guidance, USICE […]

U.S. State Department Suspends Routine Visa Services in Most Countries
March 20, 2020

The U.S. Department of State has announced that, effective March 18, 2020, it is suspending routine visa services “in most countries”.  The official announcement is available on the State Department […]

USDHS Announces Restriction on “Non-Essential” Travel Between Canada-U.S.-Mexico
March 20, 2020

On March 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued joint statements with the Governments of Canada and Mexico that “Non-Essential” travel between the countries will be temporarily restricted […]

USCIS Temporarily Suspends In-Person Services at Field Offices; No Change to USCIS Service Centers and Mail Lockbox Centers.
March 20, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the temporary closure of in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and Application Support Centers (ASCs) to combat the spread of […]

MIT International Scholars Office posts Q&A on COVID-19 Guidance Impact on International Scholars/Researchers
March 20, 2020

The MIT International Scholars Office (ISchO) issued this Q&A on the COVID-19.  This information was shared directly with MIT international scholars as well as Department, Lab, and Center HR administrators. […]

USCIS Announces Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing for FY21 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions
March 16, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the temporary suspension of premium processing service for fiscal year (FY) 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions. Petitioners filing FY 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions will […]

United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland added to Europe Travel Restriction to U.S.
March 14, 2020

As a further extension of Presidential Proclamation 9984, the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland have been added to the list of European countries from which travel to the U.S. […]