USCIS Updates Age Calculation for I-485 Applicants

Washington, DC, February 14, 2023: US Citizenship & Immigration Services today announced an improved interpretation of the age calculation for children of persons seeking US lawful permanent resident status and applying for I-485 Adjustment of Status. The new interpretation of the Child Status Protection Act of 2002 (CSPA) states that USCIS will accept the Dates […]

USCIS Extends Green Card Validity for Conditional Permanent Residents with a Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829

USCIS is extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for 48 months beyond the card’s expiration date. This change started on January 11, 2023, […]

Canada Issues 5,500 Invitations in the Second All-Program Express Entry of 2023

On January 18, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited a total of 5,500 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence in its 2 nd All Program draws for this year. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off dropped to 490 Points. Candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled […]

USCIS Seeks to Increase EB-5 Fees

On January 3, 2023, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a proposed rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization filing fees. If implemented, applicants will have to pay significantly more for immigrant filings. The proposed rule is subject to a 60-day comment period that commenced on January 4, 2023 and will expire […]

USCIS Seeks Substantial Increase in Filing Fees

On January 3, 2023, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a proposed rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. If implemented, applicants will have to pay significantly more for immigrant filings. The proposed rule is subject to a 60-day comment period that commenced on January 4, 2023 and will […]

Canada Issues 5,500 Invitations in the First All-Program Express Entry of 2023

On January 11, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) invited a total of 5,500 Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence in its 1 st All Program draws for this year. The minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) was 507 Points. Candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Trades and […]

USCIS Issues Proposed Rule to Adjust Immigration Fees

WASHINGTON, DC, January 5, 2023 — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. USCIS states that its fee increase will “allow USCIS to more fully recover its operating costs, reestablish and maintain timely case processing, and prevent the accumulation of […]

USCIS Releases Form I-956K to Register EB-5 Third-Party Promoters

Washington, D.C., January 5, 2023: USCIS just released Form I-956K to enable third party promoters of EB-5 investments to register with USCIS. Registration is now required by each person acting as a direct or third-party promoter (including migration agents). Direct or third party promoters who act on behalf of any of the following entities must […]

NDAA Act Modifies Eligibility Criteria for E Visas

On December 15, 2022, James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (NDAA) was passed by Congress. Thereafter, on December 23, 2022, NDAA was signed by the President and NDAA enacted into law. The NDAA, which is also called the Omnibus Bill authorizes the extension of a wide range of government programs […]

IRCC PROCESSING TIMES FOR SUV APPLICATIONS

Toronto, December 19, 2022: Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program (“SUV”) has grown tremendously in popularity from 2019 until the present.  Over that period of time, processing times by Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (“IRCC”) has jumped from approximately 18 months to close to 36 months. In practice, longer-than-expected processing times means that applicants who submitted SUV […]