Immigration

Most individuals who are visiting the UK or transiting through the UK, and who are exempt from obtaining a visitor visa, will now need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel. The ETA requirement takes effect for US citizens (as well as citizens for nearly 50 other countries) for travel to the UK on January 8, 2025 or later. The ETA is also required for those who are transiting through the UK.

On January 8, 2025, the UK Home Office will require visitors, including US citizens, to acquire an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to travel to, or transit through, the UK. The ETA can be purchased online.

This memorandum discusses four key documents relating to nonimmigrant (i.e., temporary) travel to and authorized stay in the United States — a passport, a visa, an I-94 record, and an I-797 approval notice — and other common situations involving nonimmigrants traveling to the US.

Read about a DHS final rule, which takes effect in January and is designed to enhance the H-1B program's efficiency, flexibility, and integrity while providing clearer guidelines and protections for US workers.

In this alert, we discuss the extension, who may be eligible, and how these changes are welcome news for individuals and employers.

Read about the updated J-1 Skills List, its impact on J-1 visa holders, and the retroactive application of these changes.

Read about how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published the planned designation of Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status for a period of 18 months and established procedures for eligible Lebanese nationals granted Deferred Enforced Departure to apply for Employment Authorization Documents.

Amid a flurry of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominations for cabinet-level positions and his frequent statements about his policy plans, employers are anticipating sweeping changes to employment and immigration laws, regulations, and practices.

On the heels of the election of President-Elect Trump, employers should be on the lookout for potential changes to employment and immigration laws, regulations and practices.

Read about how President-elect Trump’s administration could impact various aspects of US immigration in light of rhetoric from the Trump campaign and hardline appointees to his new administration that signal a more restrictive and punitive approach to immigration.

Read about the implications of the addition of Qatar to the updated list of countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program published by DHS in consultation with the Department of State.

This article provides a checklist of action items for foreign companies making an initial expansion into the US, covering essential topics like choosing a business structure, navigating laws and regulations concerning immigration, employment, and taxes, and securing funding.

Read about the USCIS final rule adjusting the investment and revenue thresholds for International Entrepreneur Parole program (IEP) eligibility, effective October 1, 2024. The IEP program gives certain foreign national entrepreneurs another option for temporary authorization in the United States to grow a business and work for that business.]

Read about the USCIS’s plan to conduct a second H-1B cap lottery from the remaining pool of eligible H-1B registrations submitted during the March registration period.

A Conditional Permanent Resident (CPR) who obtained his or her CPR status through marriage (of less than two years) to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident must file an Application for Removal of Conditions (using Form I-751) to remove conditions on his or her status and maintain Lawful Permanent Resident status. 

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (“USCIS”) new appointment tool allows requestors, their attorneys, and accredited representatives to reschedule most biometrics appointments for both paper and online filings using the USCIS online account system.

Arash Bahar and John Quill discussed the features of the Online Organizational Accounts and how the updated H-1B registration process will work.

Maryanne Kline, Shannon Parker, and John Quill discussed the features of the Online Organizational Accounts and the electronic filing process that is availabe starting February 2024.

DHS Publishes Final H-1B Registration Rule; H-1B Registration Dates Announced

USCIS to Increase Immigration Filing Fees Effective April 1, 2024, find out its impact across several visa categories