While U.S. immigration law does not require married couples to reside together, separate residences during the green card process can significantly complicate adjudication.
Introduction The H-1B cap selection system administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) no longer operates as a purely random lottery. Under the current regulatory framework, registrations are ranked and selected based on prevailing wage levels, meaning that the manner in which a petition is structured—specifically the SOC classification, worksite location, and job design—has
Overview of the Final Rule The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a Final Rule authorizing an increase in filing fees for Premium Processing services administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This fee adjustment is mandated by the USCIS Stabilization Act, which grants DHS statutory authority to revise Premium Processing fees
Important Client Alert: USCIS Premium Processing Fees Increasing March 1, 2026 Read More »
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized a rule significantly reforming the H-1B cap selection process. Effective February 27, 2026, the new rule replaces the prior random lottery selection system with a weighted selection framework that increases the likelihood of selection for H-1B beneficiaries who are higher-skilled and higher-paid. This revised selection system
The U.S. Department of State has expanded participation in the Visa Bond Pilot Program, extending coverage to nationals of 38 designated countries who apply for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas. Under this program, certain applicants may be required to post a refundable bond in the amount of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as a condition
Expansion of the U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program — Key Legal and Compliance Considerations Read More »
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a mandatory pre-screening mechanism used by most travellers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Although ESTA has long been a core element of VWP travel, recent fee adjustments, policy clarifications, and data-collection initiatives highlight the importance of understanding evolving compliance obligations. This legal
U.S. immigration vetting continues to evolve as federal agencies strengthen national-security and identity-verification measures. One significant development is the expanded requirement for social-media disclosure during the non-immigrant visa application process. This requirement now applies broadly to H-1B specialty occupation workers and their H-4 dependent family members, similar to longstanding practices in student-visa categories such as
