L and H VISA FEE INCREASES

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Public Law 114-113), signed into law by President Obama on December 18, 2015, increases fees for certain H-1B and L-1 petitioners. These petitioners must submit an additional fee of $4,000 for certain H-1B petitions and $4,500 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions postmarked on or after December 18, 2015.

The additional fees apply to petitioners who employ 50 or more employees in the United States, with more than 50 percent of those employees in H-1B or L (including L-1A and L-1B) nonimmigrant status. These petitioners must submit the additional fees with an H-1B or L-1 petition filed:

• Initially to grant status to a nonimmigrant described in subparagraph (H)(i)(b) or (L) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; or
• To obtain authorization for a nonimmigrant in such status to change employers.

This fee is in addition to the base processing fee, Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee, American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 fee (when required), as well as the premium processing fee, if applicable. Public Law 114-113 fees will remain effective through September 30, 2025.

IMMIGRATION FEE INCREASE

As a result of the FY2016 omnibus appropriations bill passed on December 18, 2015, the supplemental fees for L-1 and H-1B petitions are increasing for companies that employ 50 or more employees in the United States and have more than 50 percent of their U.S. workforce in H-1B, L-1A, or L-1B nonimmigrant status. Specifically, the previously expired fees for L-1 petitions will increase from $2,250 to $4,500, and the fees for H-1B petitions will increase from $2,000 to $4,000. These supplemental fees must be paid on initial and extension petitions.

IMMIGRATION RELEASES POLICY MEMO ON SPOUSAL GREEN CARDS AFTER THE DEATH OF PETITIONER

USCIS issued a policy memo implementing the decision in Williams v. DHS Secretary for all spousal immediate relative visa petitions under INA §204(l) after the death of a U.S. citizen petitioner. USCIS stated that it will follow the Williams decision for all cases, including those arising outside the jurisdiction of the Eleventh Circuit.

Click HERE for the full Memo

DV-2017 GREEN CARD LOTTERY IS HERE

DV-2017 GREEN CARD LOTTERY IS HERE:

The entry submission period for DV-2017 is from 12:00PM EDT (GMT -4) on October 1, 2015 to 12:00PM EST (GMT -5) on November 3, 2015. The entry form will only be available for submission during this period and this period only. Entries will NOT be accepted through the U.S. Postal Service

For more info click HERE

Filing Instructions available HERE

DV-2016 GREEN CARD LOTTERY INFO

DV 2016 Program DV-2016 Info is HERE:

Online registration for the DV 2016 Program will begin on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)  or 11:00 am Central Time, and will conclude on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), or 11:00 am Central Time.

For more info click HERE

Filing Instructions available HERE