All posts by Harun Kazmi

The Department of State is pleased to announce the introduction of a redesigned Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA). The CRBA is an official record confirming that a child born overseas to a U.S. citizen parent acquired U.S. citizenship at birth. The redesigned document has state-of-the-art security features that make it extremely resistant to alterations …Read More

The H-1B cap likely will be reached in January 2011. The latest USCIS update says that 53,900 of the 65,000 regular H-1B numbers were used as of December 17, 2010. International workers who are working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa with another cap-subject employer are not subject to H-1B cap. These cases are …Read More

In December or January, USCIS expects to start using equipment at the local offices (room116 in Chula Vista and windows #1 & #2 in San Diego) to take photographs and fingerprint applicants immediately before their interviews, so applicants should plan on arriving at least 10 to 15 minutes early for their scheduled interviews.  USCIS will …Read More

Beginning January 10, 2011, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates will process visas differently.  Under the new procedures, most applicants will go to Applicant Service Centers (ASCs) prior to their consular section interview.  The ASC staff will collect the applicant’s biometric information that will be reviewed by the consular section prior to the applicant’s interview.   ASCs …Read More

USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas announced the launch of a redesigned Certificate of Naturalization (Form N-550) with new security features that will reduce fraud—part of USCIS’ ongoing efforts to enhance the integrity of the immigration system. USCIS anticipates that over 600,000 new citizens will receive the enhanced certificate over the next year. The redesigned certificate features …Read More

In October, the USCIS issued a memo to search social networks, such as Facebook, MySpace and similar international sites to check for fraudulent marriages using personal information on applicants. Here is a quote: The Internet has made it increasingly easier for people to get connected with each other whether that is with long-distance family, friends, …Read More

U.S. tax obligations can be a major consideration for lawful permanent residents (“green card” holders) on assignment outside of the United States, and the recommendations made by tax advisors may conflict with the advice given by immigration lawyers. The tax laws do clearly offer certain benefits to lawful permanent residents living and working abroad, and …Read More

The Department of State announced that the 2012 Diversity Lottery Program registration period   opened on October 5, 2010. Entries for the lottery must be submitted electronically between noon on October 5, 2010, and noon on November 3, 2010, Eastern Time.

This summer the USCIS submitted its report on fiscal year 2009 to Congress. Highlights from the report include: H1-B petitions filed decreased 15% from FY 2008 to FY 2009; H-1B petitions approved decreased 22% from FY 2008 to FY 2009; Approximately 48% of all H1-B petitions approved in FY 2009 were for workers born in …Read More

U.S. Customs and Border Protection today announced an interim final rule that amends Department of Homeland Security regulations to require travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to pay operational and travel promotion fees when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Beginning September 8, a fee of $4 will recover the costs …Read More