Immigration Updates June 2023

USCIS Updates

EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Cards

Now may be a good time to think about an EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card application. This category always has a high standard for approval, but the conditions have been more favorable lately than they have been since 2020. USCIS continues to issue unreasonable decisions on these cases, but not as frequently as they have for the past several years. And since we don't know what the future holds, now may be the best time to give the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card a try. You can Schedule an appointment to speak with a Global Talent attorney about an EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card here.

EB-1 Priority Dates

EB-1 Priority Dates remain backlogged for citizens of China and India. We hope the backlog will clear in October, but we have to watch and wait.

US Embassy Fee Increases

The fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B-1/B-2's and BCC's) and other non-petition-based non-immigrant visas, such as student and exchange visitor visas, has increased from $160 to $185. The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) increased from $190 to $205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) increased from $205 to $315.

I-751 Filing Receipts

USCIS is issuing new filing receipts to applicants with pending I-751 Applications to Remove Conditions on Residency to extend their permanent resident status by 48 months while the agency makes decisions on these applications.

Client Spotlight: Francisco Marocho

Global Talent applauds our client Francisco Marocho for completing the AIDS/Lifecyle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Francisco biked 545 miles to raise money and awareness for AIDS education and healthcare. You are truly Extraordinary Francisco!