News

The United States Department of State has extended a temporary measure which allows certain US citizens to enter the United States on an expired passport. The policy will be in place for return travel through March 31, 2022. US citizens may qualify if their passports expired on or after January …

Temporary Policy Extended Allowing Certain US Citizens to Enter the US on an Expired Passport Read More »

A well-crafted privacy notice is essential to protect an organization and ensure it complies with various legal obligations.

President Biden will end the presidential proclamation which bans certain southern African travelers from entering the United States, effective 12:01am ET on December 31, 2021. Foreign nationals will be permitted to enter the US from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe after the ban is lifted. …

Biden To Lift COVID-19 Travel Ban for Certain Southern African Countries Read More »

Expedited processing is now available for certain healthcare workers that have pending Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal application (Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization). Individuals may qualify if their EAD has already expired or will expire within the next 30 days.

On December 23, 2021, the Department of State announced that it has given consular officers the discretion to waive the in-person interview requirement for H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visa applicants who have a petition approved by USCIS through to the end of 2022. The Secretary of …

Interview Waivers for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Read More »

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will withdraw the proposed rule Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions. The rule, often referred to as the H-1B Selection Final Rule, was issued on January 8, 2021 and vacated by the US District Court for …

DHS Withdraws Rule That Would Have Replaced H-1B Cap Lottery with Selection Process Based on Wage Level Read More »

The United States State Department has released the January 2022 Visa Bulletin. Applicants should refer to the new final action dates and dates for filing in employment-based categories.

New policy will allow H-4 spouses to automatically extend their employment authorization document. L-2 and E spouses will also be authorized to work in the United States without filing an additional application.

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is extending its remote Form I-9 verification policy through December 31, 2021 to help employers cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The United States Departments of Homeland Security, Labor, and State have released new regulatory guidelines. These agendas outline each agency’s rulemaking priorities and timelines for the next few months.

The Department of State (DOS) issued a temporary final rule (TFR) allowing consular offices to waive personal appearances and Oath requirements for certain repeat immigration visa applicants.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has proposed a new regulation and submitted it for federal review to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The new policy focuses on expanding the premium processing program to more immigration benefit cases. The rule aims to fulfill legislation that was signed …

Expansion of Premium Processing Program Under Federal Review Read More »

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will temporarily waive the requirement that Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, must be signed by a civil surgeon no more than 60 days before an applicant files an application for an immigration benefit.

New policy requires all international air travelers entering the United States to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of travel, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status. The new policy is designed to combat the COVID-19 Omicron variant and will apply to all passengers ages two and older …

One-Day COVID-19 Tests Required for International Travelers Starting December 6, 2021 Read More »

Congress has passed a temporary measure to continue funding the United States government through February 18, 2022. The stopgap spending measure will maintain immigration operations, including E-Verify and the Conrad 30 waiver program.

COVID-19 restrictions will affect international holiday travel to the United States and other countries. It is essential to comply with all applicable rules and regulations to safely reach your destination.

During this live Chugh, LLP event, our immigration specialists discuss some of your most pressing questions related to US immigration.

Chugh, LLP is committed to continuous improvement and providing the best value to our clients and partners. We are delighted to announce that Chugh, LLP has expanded our Global Immigration Department to manage global immigration cases in most destination countries around the world.

Swapnali Kelkar decided to enter the immigration field based on her own personal experience. A licensed attorney from India, Swapnali came to the United States on an H-4 visa in 2013. At that time, H-4 visa holders were not authorized to work.

Gerardo Mendez leads Chugh, LLP’s Global Immigration Department, which specializes in assisting companies with the mobility of their foreign national workforce. With a focus on client service, Gerardo serves companies’ temporary and permanent immigration needs in most countries worldwide.

It is commonly believed that employee handbooks are unimportant, with no use after an employee’s hire date. However, these pages contain important information that could mean the difference between winning and losing an employment lawsuit. Employee handbooks are a basis of communication for human resources (HR) departments and the first …

Employee Handbooks in California: Are They a Must? Read More »

US citizen and non-citizen nationals can transmit their US citizenship to children born abroad.[1] These parents should apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for their child. A CRBA proves your child’s US nationality and can be obtained at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate in the country …

How to Get US Citizenship for Children Born Outside the US: Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) Read More »

Beginning on November 29, 2021, all Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants can file Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization online.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has incorrectly denied certain Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization petitioners of U nonimmigrant status. Certain applicants that did not require a fee and filed without one between June 14 and September 29, 2021 may have had their application mistakenly denied. USCIS also …

USCIS Error Results in Accidental Rejections and Unnecessary Fees for Certain U Visa Applicants Read More »

The United States State Department has released the December 2021 Visa Bulletin. Applicants should refer to the new final action dates and dates for filing in employment-based categories.

The Build Back Better reconciliation bill has passed the House. It is unclear whether the bill will be passed into law, and if so, whether it will change from its current form.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) performed a third random selection of previously submitted H-1B cap subject registrations for fiscal year (FY) 2022 on November 19, 2021. The agency did not receive enough H-1B petitions to fill its minimum annual cap, including advance degree exemptions, for fiscal year 2022.

The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) program carries many benefits. Since India does not offer dual nationality, individuals from India can get most of the benefits of Indian citizenship with OCI while still retaining the citizenship of a foreign country.

Effective November 12, 2021, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will automatically extend employment authorization for certain H-4, E, and L nonimmigrant dependent spouses. The policy will help to reduce processing delays faced by nonimmigrants in these categories.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reached a settlement agreement which changes how United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjudicates work authorization for nonimmigrant H4 and L-2 spouses.

During this 20-minute presentation, Chugh, LLP Attorney Minh Luong and Associate Attorney Swetha Gopalakrishnan discuss what an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) is

On November 8, 2021 at 12:01 AM eastern time, the United States will reopen to foreign air travelers from any country as long as they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

On October 19, 2021, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reached a settlement agreement which defines new guidance for pending and future H-1B adjudication for market research analysts.[1]

In September 2021, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) extended its temporary remote I-9 verification policy through December 31, 2021. Designed to help employers whose workforces are remote during the COVID-19 pandemic, the policy allows virtual inspection of I-9 documentation through nontraditional means such as email, video conference, and fax.

Divorce is not an easy process. In addition to the emotions involved, you will need to consider the logistics of separating your lives, finances, and child custody. Although it may seem overwhelming, there are some important steps you should take to move on. Once you have a roadmap of the …

What Should You Do Before Filing for Divorce? Read More »

Due to their qualifications and experience, foreign national PhD holders may qualify for green card categories that have relatively faster processing times, like EB-1A, EB-1B, and EB-2 (national interest waiver). These categories of US permanent residency are desirable because they do not require the time-consuming labor certification process.

Beginning on November 8, 2021, foreign national travelers entering the United States from abroad must provide sufficient proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 before boarding an aircraft. This policy will replace prior travel restrictions on countries with high COVID-19 rates. Travelers crossing US land and ferry borders are subject to …

US Releases New International Air Travel Requirements for Vaccinations and Testing Read More »

Beginning in November 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will allow fully vaccinated foreign nationals to enter the United States across its land and ferry borders with Canada and Mexico for non-essential travel. Foreign nationals that are not fully vaccinated will not be permitted to travel across US land …

DHS to Allow Nonessential Land and Ferry Travel Across Canadian and Mexican Borders with Proof of COVID-19 Vaccine Read More »

Join Partner and Attorney Navdeep Meamber for a conversation on employment-based green cards.

On November 8, 2021, the United States plans to end its COVID-19 travel restrictions. The US will reopen to fully vaccinated air travelers from all countries.

The United States State Department has released the November 2021 Visa Bulletin. Applicants should refer to the new final action dates and dates for filing in employment-based categories.

Recent policy promises an end to the United States COVID-19 travel ban beginning in November 2021. Instead, the country will require all foreign national air travelers to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.

Online registration for the fiscal year (FY) 2023 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery is officially open starting today, October 6, 2021 at 12 PM eastern time (ET). The DV lottery will accept online applications until Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 12 PM ET. 55,000 DV applicants will be randomly selected to …

Diversity Lottery Registration Opens Today for Fiscal Year 2023 Read More »

Entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas may be eligible to immigrate to Canada under the Start-Up Visa Program.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is temporarily extending the validity period for Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record from two to four years. The temporary extension is due to COVID-19 related delays and went into effect on August 12, 2021.

Entrepreneurship is allowed for H-1B visa holders, but they must meet certain conditions to maintain their H-1B status. Join this conversation with Partner and Attorney Diya Mathews for more information on how H-1B visa holders can start and manage businesses in the US. She also covers how foreign nationals can …

H-1B FAQs: Entrepreneurship and Parental Leave While On an H-1B Visa Read More »

Congress has passed a temporary budget to fund the government through December 3, 2021. The bill contains measures to continue to fund immigration services, however the fiscal year (FY) 2022 federal budget and its immigration reforms are still under debate. President Biden is expected to sign the short-term bill today, …

Temporary Funding Passed by Congress, Avoiding Government Shutdown through December 3, 2021 Read More »

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to strengthen the current Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.

Employers who petition for H-1B visas must file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and follow all associated requirements, including providing wage and worksite information. The employer will be connected to the employee for the length of the H-1B visa.

During this 30-minute presentation, Chugh, LLP Attorneys Varduhi Danielyan and Rajashree Rajasekaran, along with Executive Director Shailesh Patel, discuss the corporate registration process for start-ups.