Immigration News

22 Feb

0

H-1B lottery open from March 1 to March 17 2023

In US Immigration News

Wednesday March 1, 2022 will be Opening Day for this year's H-1B lottery for H-1B "Cap cases." Beginning Noon EST on Wednesday March 1, employers can start to register current or future employees who need H-1B visas to work in the United States. The lottery will remain open until Noon EST on Friday March 17, 2021. Only employers can enter persons in the lottery. Individuals cannot enter themselves. If you need help registering your employee for the H-1B lottery, send us an email now or call us at (216) 593-0180. The purpose of the lottery is to decide who can apply for...

22 Feb

0

Parent born in Canada? You’re Canadian!

In Canada Immigration News

Was your mother or father born or naturalized in Canada? Under recent amendments to Canada's Citizenship Act, nearly all persons whose parent was born or naturalized in Canada are now Canadian citizens. This is true even if your parent left Canada as a child; married an American citizen (or other non-Canadian); or became a U.S. citizen (or citizen of another country). There is no age limit on claiming your Canadian citizenship. These new laws apply to the first generation born abroad. So if your mother or father was born in Canada you are likely a citizen. However, with some important exceptions,...

01 Feb

0

Express Entry cutoffs slowly decline towards reachable levels

In Canada Immigration News

Most economic and employment based permanent immigration to Canada is funneled through the Express Entry system. This includes the Federal Skilled Worker class, the Canada Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Trades class, and a part of the Provincial Nominee class. Express Entry is a competitive points-based system in which points are awarded for factors including language ability in English and French; education; skilled work experience; age; and the availability of a job offer in Canada. About every two weeks, the top ranking candidates in the Express Entry "pool" are invited to submit applications for permanent residence. Due to COVID related...

19 Jan

0

USCIS resumes premium processing of concurrent H-4/EAD extensions

In US Immigration News

As part of the settlement of a federal court lawsuit reached on January 19, 2023, USCIS has agreed to resume "bundling" of H-4 and H-4 EAD extensions along with the spouse's H-1B extension. This will apply to both regular processing and premium processing. This means if an H-1B petition is filed with premium processing, the H-4 extension and new H-4 EAD will also receive premium processing. Both the H-1B and H-4 must be filed together in the same envelope. This will result in much faster processing of H-4 EAD extensions, putting an end to the long periods of forced unemployment...

15 Mar

0

EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act signed into law

In US Immigration News

On March 15, 2022 President Biden signed into law the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 ("RIA"). This law makes major changes to the EB-5 program. Most importantly, the new law revives the Regional Center program, which sunset on June 30, 2021. Ninety percent of all EB-5 petitions are filed under the Regional Center program. Changes brought about by the new law include the following: The Regional Center program is extended to September 30, 2027. The minimum investment for Targeted Employment Areas is raised from $500,000 to $800,000. The minimum investment for non-TEA investments is raised from $1,000,000 to...