Business Immigration Articles

Planned Pilot Program for US-Based Nonimmigrant Visas Stateside Processing https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/stairs-building.jpg 1280 853 Kathleen Grzegorek Kathleen Grzegorek https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fb6b517a01ce98484211b06062fd568530868792796c102835e8a058175751b0?s=96&d=mm&r=g July 18, 2023 July 18, 2023

Kathleen Grzegorek
July 18, 2023

Planned Pilot Program for US-Based Nonimmigrant Visas Stateside Processing

The Department of State is currently working on a pilot program to test the viability of renewing certain petition based NIV categories without having to leave the United States. The pilot program will initially include H-1B and L visas and is anticipated to roll out in Fall 2023, however the exact timeline and scope have…

California’s Pay Transparency for Pay Equity Act and impact on Permanent Labor Certification Programs (PERM) https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/job-interview-g34b3d42d8_1920.jpg 1920 1220 Kathleen Grzegorek Kathleen Grzegorek https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/fb6b517a01ce98484211b06062fd568530868792796c102835e8a058175751b0?s=96&d=mm&r=g November 4, 2022 November 4, 2022

Kathleen Grzegorek
November 4, 2022

California’s Pay Transparency for Pay Equity Act and impact on Permanent Labor Certification Programs (PERM)

On September 27, 2022, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1162, a broad pay transparency bill requiring employers to include pay ranges in all job advertisements effective January 1, 2023. It also requires employers to report mean and median pay data to “better identify gender and race-based pay disparities.” In addition to California, other states…

Major lawsuit settlement changes EAD policies for H-4 and L-2 spouses https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/hammer-620011_1920.jpg 1920 1440 Michele Franchett Michele Franchett https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/682142c5d71f9c57dc624eda4aa8d5049962a816ebe5177cff6265964e8d538d?s=96&d=mm&r=g November 10, 2021 November 10, 2021

Michele Franchett
November 10, 2021

Major lawsuit settlement changes EAD policies for H-4 and L-2 spouses

Plaintiffs in Shergill, et al. v. Mayorkas, No. 21-cv-1295-RSM reached a settlement today with the Department of Homeland Security that represents a major victory for H-4 and L-2 spouses in need of employment authorization. The settlement provides: L-2 spouses (not H-4 spouses) will have employment authorization incident to status[1], and Both L-2 and H-4 spouses…

U.S. Borders Reopening to Fully Vaccinated Travelers on November 8, 2021 https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/travel-g4d023f325_1920.jpg 1920 1231 Susan Pilcher Susan Pilcher https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3f7e49eabcac8580ae522d6b948feb99f6dc509a153706e152d434a0f4cae390?s=96&d=mm&r=g October 15, 2021 October 15, 2021

Susan Pilcher
October 15, 2021

U.S. Borders Reopening to Fully Vaccinated Travelers on November 8, 2021

The White House has announced that widespread country-specific travel bans will be rescinded effective November 8, 2021 for fully vaccinated travelers. Formal guidance has not yet been issued, but it is expected to apply equally to air travel and land borders. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), COVID-19 vaccines accepted…

DHS Extends Flexibility Policy Allowing Virtual Inspection of I-9 Documents to December 31, 2021 https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/laptop-3196481_1920.jpg 1920 1280 Michele Franchett Michele Franchett https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/682142c5d71f9c57dc624eda4aa8d5049962a816ebe5177cff6265964e8d538d?s=96&d=mm&r=g September 3, 2021 September 3, 2021

Michele Franchett
September 3, 2021

DHS Extends Flexibility Policy Allowing Virtual Inspection of I-9 Documents to December 31, 2021

On August 31, 2021, DHS announced it is extending the temporary policy deferring the physical presence requirements associated with Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) under Section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“I-9 Flexibility Policy”) for employees hired on or after April 1, 2021, and working exclusively in a remote setting due to COVID-19-related…

Presidential Proclamation 10199 Bans Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants Present in India https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/corona-4971013_1280.jpg 1280 905 Barbara Stone Barbara Stone https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/356551734d8e44911a51c046b94c618968021eb990ef0d30bf944dc61958fa8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g May 11, 2021 January 10, 2022

Barbara Stone
May 11, 2021

Presidential Proclamation 10199 Bans Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants Present in India

In light of the surging COVID-19 infections in India, President Biden has authorized a travel ban for certain nonimmigrants present in India. Specifically, beginning May 4, 2021, the entry of nonimmigrants who have been present in India during the 14 days preceding their entry to the United States is prohibited under Presidential Proclamation 10199, “Suspension…

Presidential Proclamation 10052 Banning Entry of H, L, and J Visas Holders Expires https://www.sggimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/airport-5148748_1920.jpg 1920 1282 Barbara Stone Barbara Stone https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/356551734d8e44911a51c046b94c618968021eb990ef0d30bf944dc61958fa8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g April 2, 2021 January 10, 2022

Barbara Stone
April 2, 2021

Presidential Proclamation 10052 Banning Entry of H, L, and J Visas Holders Expires

The U.S. Department of State has confirmed that Presidential Proclamation 10052, which banned the admission of foreign nationals issued H, L, and J nonimmigrant visas, expired as of March 31, 2021. Former President Trump issued this proclamation during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, regional COVID-19 related travel bans as well as consular…