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policies between January 2017 and March 2024

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Current Status
  1. January 2021

    1. January 13, 2021

      DHS removes Mongolia, Samoa, and Tonga from countries eligible for H-2A and H-2B visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based DHS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
    2. January 8, 2021

      DHS issues rule for wage-based H-1B cap selection process

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/ActualEnjoined/Vacated Rule
    3. January 4, 2021

      DHS and DOL issue direct final rule extending DOL discretionary review to H-2B temporary labor certification cases

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedLabor DHSDOL ProposedFinal/Actual Rule
  1. December 2020

    1. December 15, 2020

      DOL announces AEWR annual update for H-2A herding and livestock range workers

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based DOLUSCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. November 2020

    1. November 30, 2020

      USCIS provides new edition of Form I-905, Application for Authorization to Issue Certification for Health Care Workers

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Forms and Information Collection

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. October 2020

    1. October 22, 2020

      USCIS proposes revisions to the H-1B electronic registration tool

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Proposed Forms and Information Collection
    2. October 15, 2020

      USCIS updates Policy Manual guidance on nonimmigrant cultural visitor (Q) visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. October 8, 2020

      DHS issues interim final rule narrowing H-1B criteria

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/ActualIn LitigationEnjoined/VacatedRenewed Rule
    4. October 1, 2020

      COVID-19: DOS provides information on national interest exceptions for certain travelers from Europe

      Non-Immigrant Visas: StudentNon-Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedNon-Immigrant Visas: Visitor Bureau of Consular AffairsUSCIS Final/Actual Agency DirectivePresidential Orders

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
    5. October 1, 2020

      POTUS signs spending measure expanding USCIS premium processing, extending expiring immigration programs

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedImmigrant Visas: Employment-BasedEmployment Verification USCIS Final/Actual Legislation
  1. September 2020

    1. September 17, 2020

      USCIS issues policy alert updating guidance on O visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. May 2020

    1. May 29, 2020

      POTUS issues proclamation suspending entry of certain students and researchers from China

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedNon-Immigrant Visas: Student CBPUSCISBureau of Consular Affairs Final/Actual Presidential Orders

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. May 26, 2020

      USCIS publishes instructions for electronic registration for H-1B cap sponsoring entities

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency DirectiveForms and Information Collection

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. May 14, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS issues temporary final rule modifying H-2B requirements

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. May 14, 2020

      USCIS publishes interim final rule implementing the Northern Mariana Islands U.S. Workforce Act

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Rule
    5. May 11, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS issues temporary guidance for certain H-1B foreign medical graduates

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. April 2020

    1. April 20, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS issues temporary final rule, lifting certain H-2A program limitations

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/ActualRenewed Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. April 13, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS announces delay in data entry and receipt notice generation for H-1B petitions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Expired Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. March 2020

    1. March 26, 2020

      COVID-19: DOS informs medical professionals of continuing ability to request visa appointments

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISBureau of Consular Affairs Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. March 20, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS announces temporary suspension of premium processing for I-129 and I-140 petitions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Replaced Agency Directive
    3. March 20, 2020

      COVID-19: USCIS announces flexibility in submitting required signatures during COVID-19 national emergency

      HumanitarianImmigrant VisasNon-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice
    4. March 6, 2020

      USCIS requires FLAG system temporary labor certification final determination to be submitted with H-2A petition

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. February 2020

    1. February 28, 2020

      USCIS publishes updated guidance on H-2A petitions for sheep/goat herders

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. February 14, 2020

      USCIS Suspends H-1B Pre-Paid Mailer

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. February 10, 2020

      Trump's FY2021 budget proposal would double H-1B training fees

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Proposed Legislation

      Current Status

      Not in effect
  1. January 2020

    1. January 23, 2020

      USCIS announces Iranian nationals are no longer eligible for E-1 or E-2 visas due to treaty termination

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based Bureau of Consular AffairsUSCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. December 2019

    1. December 19, 2019

      DOL announces AEWR annual update for H-2A herding and livestock range workers

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. November 2019

    1. November 15, 2019

      DOL & USCIS final rule eliminates print ads for H-2B recruitment

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. November 8, 2019

      USCIS publishes final rule requiring $10 fee per registration for H-1B cap selection process

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Rule
  1. October 2019

    1. October 31, 2019

      State Department clarifies standard of review for blanket L visa applications

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISBureau of Consular Affairs Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. September 2019

    1. September 27, 2019

      U.S. and Honduras sign agreements on immigration enforcement and H-2 visa programs

      BorderNon-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based DHSDOL Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. September 20, 2019

      DOL publishes final rule transitioning to electronic advertising for H-2A worker recruitment

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. July 2019

    1. July 30, 2019

      United States and Guatemala sign agreements on H-2 nonimmigrant visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. July 26, 2019

      H-2B petitioners must include FLAG system temporary labor certification final determination with Form I-129

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. June 2019

    1. June 27, 2019

      USCIS Seeks Comments on Proposed H-1B Registration Tool Information Collection

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Forms and Information Collection

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. June 10, 2019

      New Zealand Nationals Eligible for E-1 and E-2 Nonimmigrant Classifications

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. June 4, 2019

      USCIS updates rejection criteria for Form I-129

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. April 2019

    1. April 25, 2019

      CBP Further Restricts Canadian L-1 Applications at the Border

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based CBPUSCIS Final/Actual Agency DirectiveChange in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. April 22, 2019

      State Department and DHS announce reciprocal investor visa with Israel

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISBureau of Consular AffairsDHS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. April 1, 2019

      USCIS launches H-1B data hub

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. April 1, 2019

      DOL publishes interim final rule on CW-1 visa

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    5. April 1, 2019

      USCIS denies H-1B petitions at higher rates

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice
  1. March 2019

    1. March 15, 2019

      DOL imposes new LCA electronic notice obligations on employers and end-clients

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. February 2019

    1. February 26, 2019

      DOL plans to randomize processing of H-2B visa applications, rather than first-come-first-serve

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. January 2019

    1. January 31, 2019

      USCIS Imposes H-1B Pre-Registration Process for Cap Lottery; Prioritizes Advanced Degree Holders

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. January 18, 2019

      DHS removes Ethiopia and Philippines from H-2A and H-2B eligible list, removes Dominican Republic from H-2B list

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
  1. November 2018

    1. November 15, 2018

      USCIS issues guidance on L-1 one-year foreign employment requirement

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. October 2018

    1. October 30, 2018

      DOL updates H-1B labor condition application form

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Forms and Information Collection

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. October 1, 2018

      USCIS issues guidance for certain H-2B foreign workers in Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive
  1. September 2018

    1. September 14, 2018

      USCIS accepts negative consultation letters for O visa petitions directly from unions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. August 2018

    1. August 31, 2018

      USCIS increases premium processing fee for applications postmarked after October 1, 2018

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedImmigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Rule
  1. July 2018

    1. July 25, 2018

      Report that USCIS has increased rates of RFEs and denials of H-1B and L-1 petitions.

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Reported Change in Practice
    2. July 13, 2018

      USCIS directs adjudicators to deny more applications without issuing a Request for Evidence

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedNon-Immigrant Visas: Family-BasedImmigrant Visas: Family-BasedImmigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive
    3. July 6, 2018

      DHS eliminates H-2A visa exemption for certain Caribbean residents

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based CBPDOS Final/Actual Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. May 2018

    1. May 31, 2018

      DHS authorizes temporary 15,000 increase in H-2B visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Rule
    2. May 31, 2018

      USCIS announces lottery for H-2B visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. May 5, 2018

      DOS announces end of bilateral investment treaty with Ecuador and limits future E-2 visas for Ecuadorians

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISBureau of Consular Affairs Final/Actual Program Termination

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. May 2, 2018

      USCIS uses lottery to allocate FY19 CW-1 visas for Northern Mariana Islands

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. April 2018

    1. April 4, 2018

      USCIS reports efforts to narrow eligibility for nonimmigrant worker programs

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. March 2018

    1. March 30, 2018

      USCIS and CBP establish pilot program on immediate admissibility determination for Canadian L-1 applicants

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based CBPUSCIS Final/Actual Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. March 23, 2018

      USCIS expands prohibition on multiple H-1B cap-subject filings by "related entities"

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive
    3. March 20, 2018

      USCIS suspends premium processing for H-1B cap-subject petitions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    4. March 19, 2018

      USCIS restricts multinational employment exception, requires an additional year of qualifying employment abroad

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual AdjudicationAgency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. February 2018

    1. February 22, 2018

      USCIS changes third party placement and contract/itinerary requirements for H-1Bs

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/ActualIn LitigationReplaced Agency Directive
    2. February 15, 2018

      USCIS restricts employers' outside counsel from signing H-1B petitions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedImmigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. January 2018

    1. Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. January 18, 2018

      DHS removes Belize, Haiti and Samoa from countries eligible for H-2A and H-2B visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Partially in effect
    3. January 5, 2018

      State Department expands travel restrictions for Eritreans

      Non-Immigrant Visas: StudentNon-Immigrant Visas: VisitorNon-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based ICEUSCISDOS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. December 2017

    1. December 29, 2017

      USCIS clarifies requirements for establishing corporate relationship for L-1 visa

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. December 14, 2017

      DHS plans to propose rule to rescind work authorization for H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holders

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS In Regulatory Agenda Rule
  1. November 2017

    1. November 22, 2017

      Administration drastically reduces transitional worker visa allotments for Northern Mariana Islands for FY 2017-2019

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. November 20, 2017

      USCIS restricts eligibility for TN economist category to professional economists

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    3. November 8, 2017

      USCIS adopts test for identifying "function managers"

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedImmigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual AdjudicationAgency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. October 2017

    1. October 23, 2017

      USCIS ceases deference to past decisions for nonimmigrant petition extension requests

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive
    2. October 12, 2017

      USCIS begins requiring I-129 petitioners to file in the location of the company's primary office

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive
  1. September 2017

    1. September 19, 2017

      Report that USCIS increases RFEs for H-1B petitions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. September 18, 2017

      Immigration attorneys report that USCIS is now conducting site visits for L-1B visa holders

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. August 2017

    1. August 27, 2017

      Reported: Administration considers removing programs from J-1 visa eligibility

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOS Reported Change in Practice

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. August 9, 2017

      USCIS redefines "affiliate" and "subsidiary" for ACWIA Fee

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. July 2017

    1. July 24, 2017

      USCIS resumes premium processing for certain cap-exempt H1B visas

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
    2. July 19, 2017

      DHS & DOL allocate additional non-agricultural H-2B visas for FY 2017

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOL Final/Actual Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. May 2017

    1. May 23, 2017

      USCIS clarifies school criteria for H-1B master's cap-exempt petitions

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual AdjudicationAgency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. April 2017

    1. April 18, 2017

      POTUS issues "Buy American and Hire American" EO 13788, calling for H-1B reform proposals

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCISDOLBureau of Consular Affairs Final/Actual Presidential Orders
    2. April 3, 2017

      USCIS increases "targeting" of site visits to detect H-1B fraud

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive
    3. April 3, 2017

      USCIS creates email address for reporting H-1B fraud

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. March 2017

    1. March 31, 2017

      USCIS restricts H-1B eligibility for computer programmers

      Non-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based USCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive
    2. March 17, 2017

      DHS updates civil monetary penalties for employment violations in connection with H-2B program

      Workplace EnforcementNon-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based DHSDOL Final/Actual Rule

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect
  1. February 2017

    1. February 22, 2017

      DOS changes guidance for B-1 Visa eligiblity for noncitizens seeking E-2 or EB-5 visas.

      Immigrant Visas: Employment-BasedNon-Immigrant Visas: Employment-Based Bureau of Consular AffairsUSCIS Final/Actual Agency Directive

      Current Status

      Fully in Effect