According to recent data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), over 1.2 million Indians are currently waiting for employment-based green cards. This group of highly-skilled professionals and their dependents now face a possibly decades-long wait to obtain permanent residency based on the current backlog. What the Data Shows The USCIS figures, analyzed by the National Foundation for American Policy, reflect approved Form I-140s (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) as of November 2, 2023. The applicants in question are waiting in the first, second, and third employment-based g ..read more

At a Glance Let’s take a closer look at an important date which can impact timing for employment-based green cards: the PERM Priority Date. PERM Labor Certifications A PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) Labor Certification is a crucial step in the process for employers seeking to sponsor international employees for employment-based green cards in the U.S. It’s administered by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and is designed to ensure that the employment of foreign workers will not negatively impact the job opportunities, wages, or working conditions of U.S. workers.  Completi ..read more

If you’re applying for a green card from within the United States (otherwise known as the “adjustment of status” process), you may have heard about Form I-765 and Form I-131.  Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) allow green card applicants to work legally in the U.S. and travel in and out of the country while the green card is pending. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of including the work permit and travel permit forms in your green card application. Do I Need to Include These Forms in My Green Card Application? Includi ..read more

When moving to a new country, people often encounter terms like “Permanent Resident” and “Citizen.” While both statuses allow you to reside in a country legally, they carry distinct rights, responsibilities, and implications. Permanent Resident Status Permanent Resident status (also known as a “Green Card” in the U.S.) is a legal designation granted to foreign nationals in many countries. It signifies a long-term right to reside in the host country, with certain limitations. Here are some key features of lawful Permanent Resident status: Residency Rights: Permanent Residents are allowed to l ..read more

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced changes to the automatic extension period for certain employment authorization documents (EADs), saving nearly 800,000 EAD renewal applicants from a lapse in work authorization. Automatic extensions will now go up to 540 days, a significant improvement from the previous 180-day period. USCIS estimates that approximately 60,000 to 80,000 employers across the U.S. would have been negatively impacted as a result of the lapse. Interested in our biweekly business immigration newsletter? Enter your email below. Thank you for your interest i ..read more

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that a new third gender option “X” (defined as “Another Gender Identity”) will now be available on Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization). Form N-400 is the first USCIS form to include a gender option other than “Male (M)” and “Female (F).” New Form N-400 Edition For all citizenship applicants filing Form N-400, the new 04/01/24 form edition will include the X gender option. Applicants filing this edition of Form N-400 on or after April 1, 2024 will have X available as a gender option on their Certificate of Naturalization once i ..read more

Important: A passport verifies your identity and nationality and is necessary for international travel, while a visa grants permission to enter a specific country for a particular purpose and duration Passport vs. Visa A passport and a visa are both essential documents for international travel, but they serve different purposes: Passport A passport is an official government-issued document that certifies the identity and nationality of the holder. It typically contains information such as the holder’s name, date of birth, photograph, signature, and nationality. Passports are used for inter ..read more

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that they had received enough electronic registrations during the initial registration period to reach the FY 2025 H-1B cap. USCIS completed the random selection process and has notified all selected beneficiaries that they are now eligible to file an H-1B cap-subject petition. How to Check Selection Status Registrants’ online accounts will now show one of the following selection statuses: Submitted: You have submitted your registration and it is valid. Selected: You are able to apply for an H-1B visa. Not Selected: You were not sele ..read more

The post Boundless Immigration News Weekly Recap Archive: March 22, 2024 appeared first on Boundless ..read more