The USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) has come with some really rough and tough immigration laws. The Trump ruling governance is committed to bring the natives at the fore position. Be it education or any job facility, it works dead seriously to protect its civilians’ rights.

However, the recent amendments introduced a sigh of relief for NRIs or non-resident Indians. Every year, around 65,000 people from across the world file petition for the non-immigrant visa. And its biggest share falls into the bag of India and China, which are around 15,000 visas.

Let’s catch on a few recent amendments that would be valuable for you.

What is the change in the form?

The non-immigrant visa requires two Forms to fill. One is I-129 and another is Form I-907. The former form represents the petition on behalf of the non-immigrant work. The employers file it. The latter form displays the petition filed under premium processing. However, this kind of processing is suspended for the financial year 2018. I’ll put more light over it in the upcoming section of this article.

According to the alterations in the USCIS immigration law,

• The interim memorandum’s policy on the power of attorney signature is invalidated.
• The implication of prohibition over the power of attorney’s signature would not be applicable if the applicant is younger than 14 years/ disable.
• Only authorized employer or employee would be valid. This improvised rule will come into effect from March, 2018.
• The signature of the petitioner would be verified as an authorized signature.
• The USCIS holds right to rejection of the petitions those are inked by the power of attorney holder.
• The immigration authority will not allow that discrepancy to be corrected if the petition is found with a faulty signature.
• The competent authority will come with more updated information time to time. That updated bulletin will throw light on the specification of the authenticated signature.
• The scheme of digital signature is in the pipeline of the same authority.

Why?

The changes might be meager. But, they have consistency and integrity to withstand the natives’ right. This is a strong step to safeguard their immigration system.

H1B visa cap:

After a long cease, the US foreign affair authority has lifted ban over receiving H1B visa applications. Prominently, the highly qualified professionals of information technology, science, mathematics and medicine apply for this visa every year. But, the previous year proved bitter for those applicants.

Now, the authority has announced to accept the same visa application from April 2, 2018. But these applications would be effective for the upcoming financial year (that is 2019).

It is noteworthy that the petitioners must submit fee for the Forms I-907 and Form I-129 separately. If one pays cheque showing the combined payment, his/her petition would be rejected. It implies that the separate payment is mandatory. This arrangement would be effective until the suspension of premium processing would be lifted up.

Catch what the premium processing actually is.

Suspension of Premium Processing for 2019:

The premium processing is an expedited processing of the H1B visa program. If you are willing to work in the USA, you should go for this visa facility. The employer files petition on your behalf.

This kind of quick visa application is suspended for now. The amendment will be followed till the next update. Although, the suspension is valid till the next financial year. Earlier, the petitioners with the US master degree were kept away from such bar. But now, they would also follow the same route of suspension. Their application would likely to be considered in the next financial year.

Bear in mind that this service is suspended temporarily. It will resume in the future.

When can be the expedite request accepted?

The expedited processing would be accepted for the financial year 2019 if the application meets these criteria:

• The company is undergoing severe financial loss
• Emergency
• Humanitarian ground
• Non-profit organization that is in the interest of the United States
• National Interest situation
• USCIS flaw
• Interest of the USCIS

Why suspension?

• The applications are in bulk to process at the USCIS office. The authority is unable to process them all. And their count is swelling up and up.
• The adjudication is aligned for those who have completed 240 days and need H1B extension.