work

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Approvals

O-1 Visa Approval for Architectural and Interior Designer

One of our Scott Legal lawyers received an approval on an O-1 petition that he recently worked on. The client was an architectural and interior designer who was being petitioned by a leading hospitality design firm and was in the…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 6, 2019

Family Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

DHS Proposes New Rule to Collect Social Media Information from Immigrant Applicants

The Department of Homeland Security proposed a new rule to collect five years of social media history from applicants of certain immigration benefits, including the following applications: ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and Form I-94W, Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record for Visa Waiver Program…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 5, 2019

Approvals

O-1 Visa Approval for Digital & Graphic Designer

One of our Scott Legal lawyers received an approval on an O-1 petition that he recently worked on. The client was a talented digital and graphic designer who held considerable experience and had worked on numerous design projects for a…

Jenny ZhanAugust 21, 2019

Approvals

O-1 Visa Approval for Design Architect

One of our Scott Legal lawyers just had an approval on an O-1 petition that he recently worked on. After a thorough preparation of the petition to ensure filing the strongest possible petition, the case was approved without any Request…

Jenny ZhanJuly 16, 2019

Approvals

Approval for Citizenship Naturalization Application

Scott Legal, P.C. just had an approval for a client that had a green card and applied for U.S. Citizenship. An application for citizenship can be made when after someone has had a green card for 3 years if obtained…

Jenny ZhanMarch 4, 2019

Approvals

H-1B Cap Visa approval at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai for an Accountant

We just had an H-1B employee visa approval at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai for an Accountant. The applicant has a Master's degree from a U.S. University and was granted the visa for 3 years. Click on the buttons below…

Jenny ZhanOctober 19, 2018

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H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

USCIS Reverse Decision to Allow Offsite STEM OPT Workplace Placement

In May 2018, USCIS quietly changed the rules for offsite STEM OPT workplace placement on its website that disallowed STEM OPT students from being placed with a third party. For many foreign nationals who travel to the United States to…

Jenny ZhanAugust 20, 2018

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Immigration News

ICE Doubles Number of Worksite Investigations

Since the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency announced its program to “create a culture of compliance among employers”, there has been a marked increase of I-9 inspections in the last seven months. In the 4-day period between July 16…

Jenny ZhanJuly 26, 2018

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H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

USCIS Completes H-1B Cap Subject Petitions Selections

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have announced on May 15, 2018 that it has completed data entry for all FY 2019 H-1B cap-subject petitions. This year, a total of 190,098 H-1B cap petitions were received, of this,…

Jenny ZhanMay 15, 2018

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

USCIS Released H-1B Numbers

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have released Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B application numbers. This year, a total of 190,098 H-1B cap petitions were received, of this, 95,885 were submitted towards the cap exemption of 20,000 for holders…

Jenny ZhanApril 13, 2018

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for FY 2019

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has completed the two lotteries to choose the H-1B applications that will be processed this fiscal year. In total, USCIS received 190,098 H-1B cap petitions between April 2…

Jenny ZhanApril 12, 2018

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

The H-1B Cap has been Reached!

The United States Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS) has announced on April 6, 2018 that the H-1B cap has been reached before the April 7, 2018 deadline. As such, the agency will reject any cap subject petitions received after April…

Jenny ZhanApril 6, 2018

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

I am a Foreign Student Planning a Change of Status to H-1B – Can I Travel?

If you are an F-1 student and an H-1B cap petition to change status to H-1B has been filed on your behalf, traveling internationally could impact your ability to change status and reenter the United States. It is very important…

Jenny ZhanMarch 29, 2018

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

USCIS to Suspend Premium Processing for all FY 2019 H-1B Cap Filings

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced on March 20, 2018 that, starting from April 2, 2018, premium processing for all fiscal year 2019 cap-subject petitions, including petitions seeking an exemption for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree…

Jenny ZhanMarch 22, 2018

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

USCIS Restricts Use of Powers of Attorney

In a new policy memorandum issued on February 16, 2018, USCIS will no longer accept an employer’s applications or petitions if they are signed by outside counsel under power of attorney. Filings made on behalf of a corporation or other…

Jenny ZhanMarch 5, 2018

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

H1-B Premium Processing Suspension

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may impose a short suspension of the 15-day premium processing service for FY 2019 H-1B cap filings. The suspension and amount of time premium processing may be suspended for is currently unclear.…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 30, 2018

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

Recent Trends In Adjudication of H-1B Petitions Reveal Increased Scrutiny by USCIS

Recent Trends In Adjudication of H-1B Petitions Reveal Increased Scrutiny by USCIS Many studious readers of Scott Legal’s blog are familiar with the recent changes to the U.S. Immigration system arranged by the Trump Administration. One promise President Trump frequently…

Jenny ZhanDecember 1, 2017

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Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

USCIS Changes Policy of Deference to Prior Determinations For Nonimmigrant Petitions – Change in the Way USCIS will Adjudicate Petitions

On October 23, 2017, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that it will revise its policy regarding prior determinations for nonimmigrant petitions. According to its policy memorandum, USCIS will no longer defer to prior determinations of eligibility…

IanScottOctober 27, 2017

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

H-1B Premium Processing Resumed for All Petitions

USCIS has now resumed premium processing for all H-1B visa petitions. Prior to the start of the H-1B season this year, USCIS announced that they would halt the premium processing service for H-1B petition which normally allows for an adjudication…

IanScottOctober 9, 2017

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

USCIS Announces It Will Resume Premium Processing for All H-1B Petitions by October 3, 2017

On September 27, 2017 USCIS stated that it plans to resume premium processing for all H-1B petitions on or before October 3, 2017. There has not been a formal announcement as of yet, however, as this statement was issued during…

IanScottSeptember 27, 2017

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

Positive News in Otherwise Dark Times: USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for all H-1B Pending Petitions Subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Cap

With the sun setting fast on Fiscal Year 2017 at the end of this month, USCIS announced on Monday, September 18 that Premium Processing will once again be available for all pending petitions subject to the 65,000 annual cap. In…

IanScottSeptember 20, 2017

E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

I want to apply for an E-2 Investor visa. Can I bring over an employee right away? What is the process for getting the E-2 investor and E-2 employee visas at the same time?

An E-2 Investor Visa is a great visa for entrepreneurs who are nationals of treaty countries, have money to invest and want to start a business in the United States. The business can be large or small, but it must plan…

IanScottAugust 23, 2017

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

H1B portability and travelling while an H-1B transfer petition is pending – Can I travel while my H-1B Petition is Pending?

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 created the H nonimmigrant classification, which includes several visa classifications for temporary workers and trainees. The H1B visa permits a company to hire a foreign national in specialty occupations. In order to qualify…

IanScottAugust 22, 2017

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Immigration

What happens if I apply for a renewal of work authorization but it’s not approved before the expiration of my current work authorization card?

If you work in the U.S. based on an approved employment authorization document (EAD), it is important to note the expiration date of the card. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is currently taking approximately 3 months to…

IanScottAugust 18, 2017

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H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

What are the H-1B Employer Obligations? What Does an Employer have to do when Filing an H-1B Petition?

What are an employer’s obligations when H-1B employment starts? The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa suitable for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent and a job offer from a sponsoring employer in a specialty occupation that…

IanScottAugust 14, 2017

O-1 Visa Approval for Architectural and Interior Designer

O-1 Visa Approval for Digital & Graphic Designer

O-1 Visa Approval for Design Architect

Approval for Citizenship Naturalization Application

H-1B Cap Visa approval at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai for an Accountant

USCIS Reverse Decision to Allow Offsite STEM OPT Workplace Placement

ICE Doubles Number of Worksite Investigations

USCIS Completes H-1B Cap Subject Petitions Selections

USCIS Released H-1B Numbers

USCIS Completes the H-1B Cap Random Selection Process for FY 2019

The H-1B Cap has been Reached!

I am a Foreign Student Planning a Change of Status to H-1B – Can I Travel?

USCIS to Suspend Premium Processing for all FY 2019 H-1B Cap Filings

USCIS Restricts Use of Powers of Attorney

H1-B Premium Processing Suspension

Recent Trends In Adjudication of H-1B Petitions Reveal Increased Scrutiny by USCIS

USCIS Changes Policy of Deference to Prior Determinations For Nonimmigrant Petitions – Change in the Way USCIS will Adjudicate Petitions

H-1B Premium Processing Resumed for All Petitions

USCIS Announces It Will Resume Premium Processing for All H-1B Petitions by October 3, 2017

Positive News in Otherwise Dark Times: USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for all H-1B Pending Petitions Subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Cap

I want to apply for an E-2 Investor visa. Can I bring over an employee right away? What is the process for getting the E-2 investor and E-2 employee visas at the same time?

H1B portability and travelling while an H-1B transfer petition is pending – Can I travel while my H-1B Petition is Pending?

What happens if I apply for a renewal of work authorization but it’s not approved before the expiration of my current work authorization card?

What are the H-1B Employer Obligations? What Does an Employer have to do when Filing an H-1B Petition?

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