Immigration Updates

6/28/07

New USCIS Fees Effective July 30, 2007

The US Citizenship & Immigration Service recently announced application fee increase schedule which will take effect July 30, 2007. Most of USCIS non-immigrant and immigrant application filing fees will increase significantly. The increases that will most affect international students include:

Form I-129 (H-1B petition) $320

Form I-539 (Application to Change or Extend Status) $300

Form I-765 (Employment Authorization) $340

Click here for a complete list of the USCIS Fee Schedule

1/24/07

New 5 year rule for J-1 Exchange Visitor Research Scholars/Professors

10/26/06

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that applications for the 2008 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery will be accepted between 12 p.m. (E.D.T.) Wednesday, October 4, 2006 and 12 p.m. (E.S.T.) Sunday, December 3, 2006. Applicants must submit their DV entry form online. For more information, please visit DOS website

09/02/04

The SEVIS I-901 fee went into effect September 1, 2004. The payment website at http://www.fmjfee.com is operational. New students and exchange visitors with a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 issued on or after September 1, 2004 are subject to this fee. Continuing students and exchange visitors are not required to pay the fee except under certain circumstances. For complete information on who needs to pay the fee (or does not need) see the SEVP website. There is a complete list of questions and answers on all aspects of SEVIS I-901 fee payment.

08/02/04

In accordance with language specified in the Border Security Act, USCIS today announced a change in the photo requirements for all applicants from a three-quarter face position to a standard, full frontal face position to take affect August 2, 2003. USCIS will accept both three-quarter and full color frontal photographs until September 1, 2004 after which only full frontal color will be accepted. For more information on photo standards please visit the Department for State website or contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

12/01/03

The Department of Homeland Security announced that it will suspend the formal requirement for individuals previously registered in the National Security Entry/Exit Registration System (NSEERS) to re-register after 30-days and one year of continuous presence in the United States. The interim rule outlining the new procedures will take affect immediately with publication in the Federal Register.

^ go to top

Immigration Updates

Related Links