November 2011

H-1B Cap Update

On November 23, 2011, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2012 as well as more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the ‘advanced degree’ exemption. If your H-1 petition is given the final receipt date of Nov. 22, 2011 or earlier, then it will be accepted for processing. USCIS will reject cap-subject petitions for new H-1B that arrive after Nov. 22, 2011.

For more information regarding this announcement, please see: USCIS

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October 2011

USCIS Restores Prior I-797 Mailing Procedures

USCIS announced today that in six weeks, it will restore prior I-797 mailing procedures and send original approval notices to the Attorney of Record.

FY2012 H-1 Cap Count Numbers

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported for the Fiscal Year 2012, it has used 43,300 of the available 65,000 regular H-1 cap numbers; and 19,600 of the 20,000 available U.S. Master?s degree H-1B cap numbers.

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September 2011

USCIS Mailing Originals To You

Please note USCIS is mailing original I-797 receipt and approval notices directly to the petitioner and applicants. Important original documents containing I-94 cards at the bottom should be provided to the applicant. Upon receiving original notices from the government, we kindly request that you send us a copy. For more information on this change in process, please see the attached letter from USCIS: I-797 USCIS Update

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July 2011/August 2011

H-1B Cap Update

As of August 12, 2011, approximately 25,300 H-1B cap-subject petitions were receipted. Additionally, USCIS has receipted 14,700 H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees.

Warning - Scammers Sending Fraudulent Emails and Letters to Diversity Lottery Applicants

The Department of State (DOS) has recently noticed fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Lottery applicants to extract money to cover the visa processing fee. These mail/emails may be fraudulent because the DOS does not contact applicants. Applicants must check the status of their case online at the DOS? secure website: http://www.dvlottery.state.gov

Also, the DOS would like remind the public that all official government internet sites will end with ?.gov? as the domain suffix. For more information, please see the warning from the DOS at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1749.html

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June 2011

Department of State Releases New Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application

The Department of State (DOS) recently released a new version of the Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Application. The form can be found online at: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

With a few exceptions, the online DS-160 form is required to be completed by all applicants seeking to enter the U.S. on a nonimmigrant status. The new version of the form requires the applicant to electronically sign and submit the DS-160 form. DOS warns that a signature by someone other than the applicant may invalidate the application. For instructions on how to complete the DS-160 form and DOS? Frequently Asked Questions page, please go to this website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/forms/forms_4401.html

Department of Labor

On June 11, 2011, the Department of Labor?s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (DOL) released a statistical report on labor certification (PERM) filings. The report shows that as of the end of May 2011, DOL has 22,200 active cases of which 44% of the cases are under Analyst Review, 29% have been audited, 24% are on appeal and 3% are waiting for employer sponsorship. DOL is currently processing cases filed in April 2011 and reviewing September 2010 audited cases. DOL noted a 63% increase in PERM filings in FY2011 over cases filed in FY2010.

New H-1B Numbers Still Available

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported that as of June 17, 2011, it has used 16,300 of the available 65,000 regular H-1 cap numbers; and 10,800 of the 20,000 available U.S. Master?s degree H-1B cap numbers.

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May 2011

New I-9 Central Program on USCIS? website

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently launched ?I-9 Central?, an online resource designed to help employers complete the Employer Eligibility Verification form (Form I-9). This online resource provides helpful tips on how to complete and store the I-9 form, information regarding the E-Verify program and other employment information. You can find I-9 Central at: http://www.uscis.gov

NSEERS Registration Cancelled

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has recently cancelled the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) program. Foreign nationals previously subjected to NSEERS registration are no longer required to register upon arrival to and departure from the U.S.

The NSEERS program was implemented after 9/11 to help the government assess national security threats. Foreign nationals from certain countries were required to travel to and from designated airports and register for additional screening. The current Department of Homeland Security system has been updated to capture all necessary data from foreign travelers and it no longer needs the NSEERS program.

New H-1B Numbers Still Available

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reported that as of May 13, 2011, it has used 11,200 of the available 65,000 regular H-1 cap numbers; and 7,900 of the 20,000 available U.S. Master?s degree H-1B cap numbers.